Recovery is complete when a service returns, not when a grant is announced

English · Disaster recovery

An appropriation, an award, and a completed project are different milestones. GAO reported in February 2024 that, as of June 2023, FEMA had awarded $23.4 billion in Public Assistance funds for Puerto Rico's recovery from the 2017 hurricanes and the 2019–2020 earthquakes. GAO said $1.8 billion had been spent at that point and much work remained. These are dated snapshots, not today's balance.

Residents experience recovery through a working school, road, clinic, or power system. Higher construction costs, procurement delays, and complex approvals can separate a federal award from a finished project. That gap should be visible to the public rather than hidden behind a cumulative funding total.

NAPREC asks FEMA, Puerto Rico's recovery office, and Congress for a project dashboard with dates for approval, procurement, construction, and restored service. It should identify responsible agencies and explain revisions. Equal federal representation would strengthen accountability; transparent recovery milestones are needed immediately.

Source: GAO-24-105557, Puerto Rico Disasters: Progress Made, but the Recovery Continues.