<div dir="ltr">Hi all, <div><br><div>Word is starting to trickle in from some of the Luquillo co-PIs, though communication on the island is still very limited, with only intermittent text messages getting through. Most of the Puerto Rico-based team have been contacted and are OK.<div><br></div><div>I've linked a few articles below, from journalists who are getting to the island as well as a picture of the building that used to house the site's servers from Steven McGee.</div><div><br></div><div><a href="https://earther.com/americas-only-tropical-rainforest-was-devastated-by-hur-1818827517" rel="noreferrer" target="_blank" style="font-size:12.8px">https://earther.com/americas-o<wbr>nly-tropical-rainforest-was-de<wbr>vastated-by-hur-1818827517</a><br><div><a href="https://www.bna.com/debtridden-mariamenaced-puerto-n73014470164/">https://www.bna.com/debtridden-mariamenaced-puerto-n73014470164/</a></div></div><div><br></div><div>I know that many are concerned and asking how they can help, so am also sharing a message from Bob Waide about a grass-roots campaign to get reliable food and water to hospitals and nursing homes. Basic human needs are the first priority for now. I will send an update from the team when we have more word about what else could help.</div><div><br></div><div>Our thoughts are with friends and colleagues facing the complete devastation following Maria, </div><div>Marty</div><blockquote style="margin:0 0 0 40px;border:none;padding:0px"><br><br>Dear Friends<br>I know many of us have been frustrated in trying to find ways to help the people of Puerto Rico. Distribution of food is spotty at best and doesn't seem to be improving very quickly. My daughters have taken matters into their own hands by establishing a Go Fund Me campaign to provide meals to those most in need. Working with friends on the island, they are organizing preparation and delivery of hot meals directly to hospitals and nursing homes, where people are most at risk. So if you feel inclined, please visit the web page and make a donation.<br>Thanks,<br>Bob</blockquote><blockquote style="margin:0px 0px 0px 40px;border:none;padding:0px"><div><div><div><pre style="white-space:pre-wrap">*******************</pre></div></div></div></blockquote><blockquote style="margin:0px 0px 0px 40px;border:none;padding:0px"><div><div><div><pre style="white-space:pre-wrap">Good morning family and friends!</pre></div></div></div><div><div><div><pre style="white-space:pre-wrap">I apologize for the mass email, but we need your help urgently! As you may have seen in the news, the damage to the island of Puerto Rico from the result of the direct hit of Hurricane Maria is catastrophic. The Governor has called the situation "apocalyptic." 100% of the island has been affected. There is a complete electricity blackout and most of the island is without water. Thousands of houses have been lost because of flooding and the Governor has projected it will take at least 6 months to get electricity back to the whole island.</pre></div></div></div><div><div><div><pre style="white-space:pre-wrap"></pre></div></div></div><div><div><div><pre style="white-space:pre-wrap">My uncle - the Chief doctor at one of the biggest hospitals in PR - asked for our help because they don't have a power plant working, therefore they are unable to perform vital surgeries, support patients with dialysis and perform many more critical medical procedures. It is also heart wrenching to hear that this hospital (and others) have no food or water available for their patients or staff. People are already sick and gravely suffering and now they can't even eat or drink water.</pre></div></div></div><div><div><div><pre style="white-space:pre-wrap"></pre></div></div></div><div><div><div><pre style="white-space:pre-wrap">Along with my sisters and other family members and friends on the island, We have created the "Mano a Mano" fund to help provide food and water to hospitals, elderly centers and others in need - people who can't have access to food and water because they can't drive, are too sick or don't have gas, etc...</pre></div></div></div><div><div><div><pre style="white-space:pre-wrap"></pre></div></div></div><div><div><div><pre style="white-space:pre-wrap"><a class="gmail-m_7197207044630212776moz-txt-link-freetext" href="http://www.gofundme.com/handtohandforpuertorico" target="_blank">http://www.gofundme.com/<wbr>handtohandforpuertorico</a></pre></div></div></div><div><div><div><pre style="white-space:pre-wrap"></pre></div></div></div><div><div><div><pre style="white-space:pre-wrap">Yesterday, with the generous help of Chef Jose Andrés and Chef Jose Enrique, we were able to provide meals for over 400 patients at the Hospital de Carolina and Hospital Centro Médico. We have access to transportation with gas and we will be able to continue to provide food to these hospitals on a daily basis with your help!</pre></div></div></div><div><div><div><pre style="white-space:pre-wrap">There is a lot already happening on the island, but we cannot let more innocent people die from simple lack of food or water. We can and we will help, knowing that every dollar counts!</pre></div></div></div><div><div><div><pre style="white-space:pre-wrap">Please feel free to contact me directly if you have questions or need more information.</pre></div></div></div><div><div><div><pre style="white-space:pre-wrap">With Love and hope... Thank you so much!</pre></div></div></div><div><div><div><pre style="white-space:pre-wrap">Daya</pre></div></div></div><div><div><div><pre style="white-space:pre-wrap"><a class="gmail-m_7197207044630212776moz-txt-link-freetext" href="http://www.gofundme.com/handtohandforpuertorico" target="_blank">http://www.gofundme.com/<wbr>handtohandforpuertorico</a></pre></div></div></div></blockquote><div><div><br></div><div><img src="cid:ii_j84oia7g0_15ec955ec1e39fdb" width="544" height="470"><br><br></div><div><br></div>-- <br><div class="gmail_signature"><div dir="ltr"><div><div dir="ltr"><div><div dir="ltr"><div dir="ltr"><div dir="ltr"><div dir="ltr"><div dir="ltr"><div dir="ltr"><div dir="ltr"><div dir="ltr">Marty Downs<div>Deputy Director</div><div><a href="https://nco.lternet.edu/" target="_blank">LTER Network Communications Office (LTER NCO)</a></div><div><a href="http://us12.campaign-archive1.com/?u=d7494403ed9d8c97a5479f0d4&id=7e63967daf&e=[UNIQID]" target="_blank">LTER Science Update</a></div><div>t: @USLTER</div><div>f: USLTER</div><div><br></div><div><span style="font-size:12.8px">National Center for Ecological Analysis and Synthesis (NCEAS)</span><br></div><div><span style="font-size:12.8px">University of California, Santa Barbara</span><br style="font-size:12.8px"><span style="font-size:small">Office: 805-893-7549</span></div><div><span style="font-size:small">Cell: 617-833-7930</span></div><div><a href="mailto:downs@nceas.ucsb.edu" target="_blank">downs@nceas.ucsb.edu</a></div><div><br></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div>
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