Press Releases
11/15/2017
Gov. Malloy Leads Briefing With Local Mayors on Puerto Rico and US Virgin Islands Hurricane Efforts
Provides Update on Connecticut’s Efforts to Aid Those Seeking Relief Assistance
- Twitter: @GovMalloyOffice
- Facebook: Office of Governor Dannel P. Malloy
(HARTFORD, CT) – Governor Dannel P. Malloy this afternoon held a conference call with the Mayors of Bridgeport, Hartford, New Britain, Waterbury and New Haven to provide a briefing on Connecticut’s efforts to help those arriving from Puerto Rico and the US Virgin Islands who have been displaced by Hurricanes Irma and Maria.
“Hurricanes Irma and Maria left the people of Puerto Rico and the US Virgin Islands without electricity, without food, and without shelter,” Governor Malloy said. “Given Connecticut’s strong ties to the Puerto Rican community, we have already welcomed many displaced individuals to our state, and expect a significant increase in evacuees in the coming months. We endeavor to provide a welcoming environment to those seeking refuge and are in active communications with our state agencies, municipalities, community organizations, and FEMA to ensure that we have the resources available to provide assistance where needed. I once again strongly urge all those arriving to our state to register with FEMA, and follow the 211 Resource Guide. As winter approaches, I encourage landlords – including Section 8 landlords – to please be patient and flexible with families providing shelter for their displaced relatives.”
Last week, Governor Malloy – in collaboration with Connecticut United Way 211 and the Department of Emergency Services and Public Protection (DESPP) – released a resource guide in both English and Spanish that provides detailed information on programs and services available in Connecticut that can help those arriving from Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands. The guide can be downloaded online by visiting uwc.211ct.org/maria.
“I thank all the Connecticut residents who have supported recovery efforts in Puerto Rico,” Lt. Governor Nancy Wyman said. “Recovery will take time, but Puerto Rico has our support and we will continue to assist those who have evacuated to Connecticut in whatever ways we can. United Way 211 is an important resource and I urge people to use it to connect to assistance and services. We appreciate their work to help evacuees and individuals who are supporting them.”
“Recent arrivals and their hosts are encouraged to call 2-1-1 to be directed in either Spanish or English to services and other resources available to help rebuild their lives,” DESPP Commissioner Dora Schriro said. “It is also important that recent arrivals register with FEMA and ensure FEMA has their current address.”
On September 29, in accordance with the State Response Framework and the State Disaster Recovery Framework, Governor Malloy directed the DESPP’s Division of Emergency Management and Homeland Security to convene state agencies to work on hurricane relief evacuee support. This is the process used by the state whenever an emergency operations/management plan needs to be undertaken, and representatives of the appropriate emergency support functions come to the table to share information and plan. Partners include representatives of state agencies, municipalities, non-governmental and community organizations, and FEMA, all working together to coordinate evacuee support activities in Connecticut.
Action steps that have been taken in Connecticut to date include, but are not limited to:
- 100 National Guardsmen have been tapped for support, which includes 71 missions aboard C-130s. They have been primarily involved in communications, security forces, maintenance, and aerial port operations.
- Over 1,400 calls have been placed to the 211 system to connect evacuees and their support/sponsors here in Connecticut with available services and donated resources
- Release of Information and Resource Guide by 211 in English and Spanish
- Weekly phone calls of state agencies, NGOs, to discuss status, emerging issues
- Weekly phone calls/meetings convened by the 5 Division of Emergency Management and Homeland Security (DEMHS) Regional Coordinators with communities to determine (1) status of support operations; (2) number of students enrolled, and; (3) emerging issues
- Developed and implemented a communications framework to: (1) coordinate information sharing among Task Force members; (2) disseminate information to the community, and; (3) receive and review for action community unmet needs
- Weekly phone calls of Case Management Task Force with state and local NGOs
- Salvation Army, Catholic Charities, United Way 211
- CT Rises
- Red Cross
- Integrating Housing Working Group—state and local NGOs
- State agencies and NGOs have been greeting direct flights from San Juan since October 13
- Updated and revised our Hurricane Evacuees Support Plan in the event of FEMA-sponsored or -supported evacuee relocation to Connecticut
- Department of Consumer Protection is actively vetting charitable organizations
- Department of Children and Families and Department of Mental Health and Addiction Services has made the Disaster Behavioral Health Regional Network available
- Office of Early Childhood is helping to identify child care opportunities
Evacuees should register with FEMA at www.disasterassistance.gov or FEMA Assistance Line at 1-800-621-3362.