NY stands with PR: Gov. Cuomo, delegates give recovery effort update in Puerto Rico

Gov. Andrew Cuomo and his delegation gave an update Wednesday morning on their recovery efforts in Puerto Rico.
Gov. Cuomo, joined by Bronx Borough President Ruben Diaz Jr., Marcos Crespo and Maritza Davila, continued his message that New York stands with Puerto Rico.
The governor pledged New York aid, saying once the tremors stop, the state will send engineers to make sure homes are structurally sound. He pledged the New York Power Authority will help with the power supply on the island and mental health professionals will be sent down to deal with the psychological effects of the destruction and uncertainty. He stated many are still sleeping outside, fearing their homes will collapse on top of them.
The delegation called on the federal government to step up and release funds to the island. After Hurricane Maria, Gov. Cuomo mentioned how $20 billion of relief funds were allocated, but so far the island has only received about $2 billion of that.
Earlier on Wednesday, another $8 billion was said to be released, but the Department of Housing and Urban Development will only allow the territory to access those funds once the agency publishes a federal register notice on how it plans to distribute the funds.
The governor is deploying 115 National Guardsmen to island.
Mayor Bill de Blasio sent down a team of engineers, emergency managers and mental health professionals on Tuesday.
Assemblymember Marcos Crespo added that the most needed items for those who want to donate are nonperishable foods, tents, batteries, brand-new bedsheets, pillows, toiletries that families can share, and onesies for kids.
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