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Puerto Rico to Receive More than $6 Billion in Aid for Storm Preparedness

VOA News

   Puerto Rico is scheduled to receive more than $6 billion in federal
   funds for hurricane preparedness and other disasters.

   White House Press Secretary Jen Psaki said Tuesday, the administration
   is releasing $1.3 billion in aid allocated by Congress to help the U.S
   island territory protect itself against future climate disasters.

   Psaki said the Biden administration,in partnership with the Puerto Rico
   Department of Housing, is also working to remove onerous restrictions
   put in place by the last administration on nearly $5 billion in
   additional funds.

   Governor PedroPierluisisaid fundsassignedby theU.S.DepartmentofHousing
   and Urban Developmentwill gotoward improvements, including
   infrastructure projectsandeconomic development.

   According to the Associated Press,Pierluisi, who praised the speedy
   help from the Biden administration said some $3.2 billion is now
   available to Puerto Rico to continue rebuilding from hurricanes Irma
   and Maria.

   So far, Puerto Rico has only received $18 billion of the $43 billion
   Congress committed to the island over concerns how the money would be
   used.

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