How to Connect with Loved Ones in Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands

The following was submitted by the Office of New York State Assemblyman Michael Blake. 

Communication is almost impossible with cell service interrupted and the Red Cross is shipping in satellite phones and other technology supplies to help. We acknowledge there are challenges with electricity throughout much of Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands. Many of our neighbors are trying to locate their families. 

 

We encourage people to register with the American Red Cross Safe and Well website, a free public reunification tool that allows individuals and organizations to register and post messages to indicate that they are safe, or to search for loved ones. The site is always available and open to the public and available in Spanish. Registrations and searches can be done directly on the website. Registrations can also be completed by texting SAFE to 78876. Messages exist in both Spanish and English.

 

Outside of the US and its territories:

 

If you are looking for a U.S. citizen affected by recent international disasters, please contact the U.S. Department of State Office of Overseas Citizens Services at 1-888-407-4747 or at http://www.usa.gov/directory/federal/overseas-citizens-services.shtml. 

 

If you live in the United States and are looking for non-U.S. citizen family members affected by Hurricane Maria in the French and Dutch territories, and British Virgin Islands, please visit www.familylinks.icrc.org to find more information. 

 

If you are seeking information about non-U.S. citizen family members in Mexico who have been missing since the recent earthquake, please visit www.redcross.org/FamilyLinks, or call the American Red Cross Restoring Family Links Helpline at 844-782-9441. In New Jersey, you can call 973-797-3300 to speak with a Red Cross Restoring Family Links volunteer. 

During and after large, devastating disasters such as Hurricane Maria, connectivity can be a challenge. If you’ve put a request in with American Red Cross or the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies, please continue to virtually reach out to your friends and family.