It has been almost three months since the Category 4 storm Hurricane Maria hit the American territory of Puerto Rico. According to Refugees International, tens of thousands of inhabitants on the island are still without housing, a regular source of clean water and electricity. The United States government says it is sending aid but is faced with difficulties because of the narrow dirt roads that connect the island. Organizations that have surveyed the island in recent weeks and evaluated the response of federal and local officials determined the island is still in crisis mode and that nearly nothing has changed since the storm hit.

The lack of electricity is resulting in more fatalities than just the ones caused by the power of the storm because the sick can not take their insulin or use nebulizers and other necessary treatments. Low income communities with large elderly populations are struggling the most. Citizens are thirsty and children are suffering through hardships they should never have to face.

It is completely unacceptable for an American territory to continue to suffer this long after a storm. The response of the federal authorities should have been stronger than it was and more should have been done to save the hundreds of lives lost due to the power outage.

It is imperative that the country and the world does not forget about Puerto Rico. The media may have moved on other new breaking stories, but there are still thousands suffering. A simple online search can reveal many organizations such as UNICEF and Save the Children that you can donate to in order to help.