What You Can Do as a Volunteer in Puerto RicoĪs a volunteer in Puerto Rico, you can do a lot to help communities rebound from COVID-19, Hurricane Maria, and the 2020 earthquakes. In this guide, we’ll cover everything you need to know to get started with volunteering in Puerto Rican communities. Any money you bring to local businesses offers a crucial infusion of cash that will help Puerto Rico get back on track. The island depends on tourism, which makes up 10 percent of its economy, so you can imagine the economic impact that COVID-19 had (a decrease in visitors began in 2017 with Hurricane Maria). Simply put, if you are looking for an opportunity to travel, and you are passionate about giving back to communities in need, there has never been a better time to volunteer abroad in Puerto Rico. As a volunteer, you can make a difference. The island continues to need help to bounce back and thrive again. Shortly thereafter, COVID-19 began spreading around the world and Puerto Rico was particularly at risk given its higher proportion of elderly resident, higher rates of poverty, reduced healthcare funding, and devastation following two major natural disasters. Unfortunately, numerous severe earthquakes and aftershocks hit Puerto Rico in early 2020, bringing more damage and heartbreak. However, outside of these areas, there is still work to be done. Today, major cities like San Juan have nearly recovered, and few scars remain from Maria’s devastation. Once the terrifying 155 mph winds passed, Puerto Rico set about the business of rebuilding. Hospitals went dark, and nearly 3,000 people lost their lives. Hotels flooded, large sections of forest were uprooted, and many homes were reduced to rubble. When Hurricane Maria tore through the island in September 2017, much of the area was completely decimated. Sadly, natural disasters continue to cause major devastation to the island. The island consistently attracts 4-5+ million tourists per year, according to the World Tourism Organization. Puerto Rico has long been a destination-of-choice for vacationers, especially Americans who want the best the Caribbean has to offer without the hassle of a passport.
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