Office of Emergency Management to open Disaster Assistance Service Center for Citizens Displaced from Puerto Rico

PHILADELPHIA- The Office of Emergency Management (OEM) and partner agencies will open a Disaster Assistance Service Center today to aid those who have come to Philadelphia after being displaced by Hurricane Maria.

The services center will be located at the Hispanic Association of Contractors and Enterprises (HACE) office at 167 Allegheny Avenue, Suite 200.  It will operate between the hours of 9 a.m. to 3 p.m., Monday through Friday. It provides a central location where those in need can seek help from multiple agencies who can provide guidance and assistance.

The primary goal of the services center is to register those displaced by Hurricane Maria with FEMA. This will allow them to get individual monetary assistance from FEMA. The recovery center will also help identify immediate housing needs along with medical and food assistance. The services center will not accept donations and will direct in-kind donations to the Unidos Pa’Pr Donation Warehouse at 956 Erie Ave (entrance on I Street).

The State of Pennsylvania has not been declared a host by FEMA to support displaced residents from Puerto Rico.  A host declaration means federal funding  is available to help establish and sustain efforts to assist those in need.  The Office of Emergency Management is opening the Disaster Assistance Services Center with partners in response to individuals arriving in Philadelphia seeking humanitarian assistance.

OEM is prepared to open emergency shelters for those in need of temporary housing. OEM’s Mass Care and Shelter plan provides shelter options for displaced people. This is done with partner agencies such as the American Red Cross and Salvation Army. OEM has been in contact with partner agencies regarding the possibility of shelter operations given recent natural disasters that have affected the United States mainland and surrounding territories.

Additional help for people affected by Hurricane Maria is available through the American Red Cross disaster dispatch number. That number is 1-800-42-CROSS (27677).

*Due to privacy concerns for those who displaced by Hurricane Maria, there will be no media opportunities within the Disaster Assistance Recovery Center at this time. OEM Director Dan Bradley will be available today after the 10am Unidos Pa’Pr press conference at 956 Erie Ave (entrance on I Street).