The Fight for Puerto Rico’s Recovery

On this special episode of “Horizonte,” Arizona PBS partnered with WorkingNation to present the documentary “The Fight for Puerto Rico’s Recovery.” The film highlights how locals on the island of Puerto Rico are attempting to recover from hurricane damage.

Hurricane Maria struck the island on September 20, 2017, as a Category 4 storm, however, locals on the island are still feeling the effects almost a decade later. Since striking the island, Hurricane Maria has taken 4,600 lives and has caused $96 billion in economic damages. The hurricane also damaged the Puerto Rico’s power infrastructure, leaving some communities on the island without power for almost a year. Additionally, 95% of the population lost access to clean water.

The result of Puerto Rico’s hurricane damage and fragile power grid is a group of resilient locals determined to drive change. Grassroots efforts in agriculture and renewable energy are fostering self-sufficiency, with some skilled professionals returning home to rebuild.

“Horizonte” host Catherine Anaya provides a glimpse inside these initiatives shaping Puerto Rico’s future in the face of ongoing challenges.

“In the wake of devastating hurricanes like Irma and Maria,” Anaya explained, “Puerto Rico has faced economic instability, energy crises and food insecurities. Many people left the island in search of better opportunities, but a growing number are now returning, determined to restore their homeland through sustainable energy and agriculture.”

The film features Wanda Ríos Colorado, President of La Margarita Residents Association. Colorado explained the hurricanes devastated her community, leaving many without homes and jobs. Afterwards, she decided to come to the U.S. in search of economic opportunity, however, Colorado returned when the pandemic hit in 2020.

Upon returning, Colorado realized there was little help being given to the island, with locals stepping in to create solutions themselves.

“Following the experience with Hurricane Maria,” Colorado said, “we decided to empower ourselves to improve our quality of life. So we decided to start a cooperative which is the Energy Cooperative La Margarita Abeyno Coop. Our goal is to install solar systems in different people’s houses that otherwise wouldn’t have had the means to have their own renewable energy system.”

The documentary “The Fight for Puerto Rico’s Recovery” was made possible thanks to the generosity of Lumina Foundation.