GUAYNABO, Puerto Rico – The Vieques public community health center, or CDT, is determined eligible for replacement.
An Independent Expert Panel (IEP) officially concurred with FEMA and the Central Office for Recovery, Reconstruction and Resiliency’s, or COR3, joint recommendation that funding to restore the Vieques CDT be based on the replacement value. Congress requires an IEP to review the decision to base funding on repair or replacement for certain projects.
The joint recommendation submitted to the IEP was developed through a collaborative effort based on additional information that FEMA received from the Municipality of Vieques, the Puerto Rico Department of Health, and COR3.
The news was shared today at the FEMA Joint Recovery Office in San Juan in Puerto Rico.
"We are committed to support the building of a more resilient community in Vieques and are proud of this important step in Puerto Rico’s long-term recovery", said Director for Recovery Operations in Puerto Rico, Jonathan Hoyes.
Since Hurricane María, the Vieques CDT was left inoperable. As a result, FEMA provided nearly $5 million for the temporary hospital facility that currently offers medical care to the island’s 9,000 residents. This includes roughly $3 million for a temporary dialysis center brought to the island.
"We continue working diligently to provide solutions that meet the needs of the residents of Vieques. Replacing the CDT is essential to continue with the recovery process and ensure access to healthcare to which all residents are entitled", said COR3 Director, Omar Marrero.
To date, nearly $5.7 billion has been approved for Puerto Rico under FEMA’s Public Assistance program and the agency remains committed to supporting the island during its recovery process.
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Disaster recovery assistance is available without regard to race, color, religion, nationality, sex, age, disability, English proficiency or economic status. If you or someone you know has been discriminated against, call FEMA toll-free at 800-621-FEMA (3362) 711/VRS - Video Relay Service). Multilingual operators are available. (Press 2 for Spanish). TTY call 800-462-7585.
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