Nydia M. Velázquez

01/24/2025 | Press release | Distributed by Public on 01/24/2025 11:52

Velázquez Calls for Quick Action to Deliver Disaster Aid to Puerto Rican Fishermen

January 24, 2025

Today, Congresswoman Nydia M. Velázquez issued the following statement after the Department of Commerce (DOC) Office of Inspector General (OIG) released a final report revealing delays in the distribution of hurricane relief funds to Puerto Rican fishermen by the Puerto Rico Department of Natural and Environmental Resources (PDNER):

"In August 2022, after hearing from Puerto Rican fishermen about delays in receiving relief, I sent a letter to the DOC OIG urging an investigation into whether the PDNER was efficiently and appropriately using the $11.4 million allocated by the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) to help local fisheries recover from Hurricanes Irma and María. This audit confirms what those fishermen were already telling us-the funds have not been distributed in a timely manner.

"The audit reveals that only 7% of the funds have been spent so far. Alarmingly, $9.8 million of the funds are set to expire in March 2025, with the remaining $1.6 million expiring in April 2025. It is critical that the incoming administration acts swiftly to distribute these resources. It is unacceptable that, nearly eight years after Hurricane María, fishermen are still waiting for the relief they deserve and could lose it entirely without immediate government action.

"What's even more frustrating is that these funds include allocations for administrative expenses. Now, the PDNER must accelerate the disbursement of funds or NOAA must grant an extension to ensure these funds are used as intended. The government has failed these fishermen for far too long, they must step up and make things right."

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Issues:Puerto Rico