New York Gov. Kathy Hochul announced an emergency water relief effort Thursday that will send 26 pallets of drinking water from New York to Puerto Rico as the island continues to face a severe water shortage.
The shipment, organized in partnership with the Afya Foundation and corporate donors, is scheduled to leave New York on Saturday. The pallets contain about 1,900 cases and 45,000 bottles of drinking water, totaling more than 5,900 gallons.
The water is expected to be distributed in San Juan and surrounding municipalities.
“We are here today because our friends in Puerto Rico are in crisis. And as a home — proud home — of over one million Puerto Ricans here in the State of New York, when our family needs help, we respond,” said Gov. Kathy Hochul.
The effort comes as Puerto Rico faces worsening drought conditions and long-standing problems with its water infrastructure. The Associated Press reported that more than 33% of the island is experiencing extreme drought, while another 30% is under severe drought conditions.
More than 180,000 customers have also been affected by rotating water shutoffs lasting up to 48 hours in parts of the island.
For New York, the response also reflects the longstanding ties between the state and Puerto Rico. New York is home to more than 1 million Puerto Ricans, making the island's water crisis a concern for communities across the state.
The shipment brings immediate assistance to residents facing limited access to safe drinking water while also connecting New York-based organizations with relief efforts on the island.
The partnership goes beyond bottled water. Hochul said the effort will also provide technical assistance intended to help address Puerto Rico's water shortages over the longer term and reduce the risk of families facing similar emergencies in the future.
The emergency supplies will be transported to Puerto Rico beginning Saturday and distributed through relief operations in San Juan and nearby municipalities. The state and Afya Foundation are also continuing humanitarian efforts aimed at supporting communities affected by the ongoing water shortage.
