Illustration: Rebecca Zisser / Axios
Puerto Rico is confronting extensive infrastructure failures and public health crises in the wake of Hurricane Maria, all while already facing a fiscal shortfall. The territory's government is $74 billion in debt and entered a form of bankruptcy in May. So, how will the beleaguered island secure the humanitarian relief it needs now and rebuild for a more resilient future?
We asked five experts to weigh in.
- Edwin Meléndez, professor of urban affairs and planning and director of the Center for Puerto Rican Studies, Hunter College, CUNY: The island economy needs massive federal support
- Sergio M. Marxuach, policy director, Center for a New Economy, San Juan, PR: Congress has to step up
- Ozlem Ergun, professor of mechanical and industrial engineering, Northeastern University: Short-term relief, long-term resilience
- Vivek Shandas, professor of urban studies and planning, Portland State University: Rebuilding with extreme events in mind
- Laurie Johnson, urban planner and disaster-recovery consultant, author of "After Great Disasters": Averting collapse after a catastrophe