In times of natural disasters, the human spirit shows us just how formidable, and durable it truly is. This is especially so with the recent disaster that has afflicted Puerto Rico.

Puerto Rico's spirit has been tested due to many of the modern necessities being lost during this time of restoration. Many on the small island are having to go down to basic survival skills. These skills include either using anything with a roof as a shelter or even banding together and sharing even the smallest space just to make sure everyone gets a roof over their heads. These examples of human kindness and fortitude do not take away from the fact that there are some who are trying to take advantage of the continuing chaos.

Because of people taking advantage of the chaos, many in the elderly community have started to become fearful of streets that are lacking streetlights, due to gang violence escalating.  The gang communities have become stronger during this time of perdition in which chaos and confusion have taken over .

Perhaps most worrisome for these residents is how there are reports that the government has yet to intervene. This report came from Lorel Cubano the director of a local nonprofit, who claims that the majority aid that residents have received has come from “private citizens and celebrities."  The fear of a lack of government intervention is also present in the USA.

This fear started when FEMA was said to have sent “junk food’ to the people of Puerto Rico. This is because of how in an image that went viral on the internet, there was seen a plastic baggie; “Cheez-It crackers, Beef Jerky, Shelf-Stable “Tuna Chunks."" This has gone on under controversy due to people saying that this food was not healthy or notorious for the people trying to rebuild their lives. FEMA  fired back with a statement saying that “in an environment where most people still don’t have power or reliable communications, even “junk food” can--and frequently is--part of the solution."

This is because of the strong amounts of certain types of nutrients and minerals, “junk food” can certainly be healthy to a certain extent if the amount consumed is watched.  Recently, the United States government has approved a 36.5-billion-dollar disaster aid package to help out with Puerto Rico, and also other states that have been afflicted by the recent hurricane. With this, many people also in the United States will hopefully be able to begin their lives again and perhaps even make it better, and for the people of Puerto Rico they will hopefully be able to improve their standard of living back to what it once was before disaster struck.

The Behrend community is reaching out to support the people suffering in Puerto Rico, as the International Student Organization (ISO) plans to hold a fundraiser and raise funds to relieve these people from loss of resources, electricity, food, and supplies. ISO’s fundraiser will be supported by the Diversity and Equity Office, the Student Government Association (SGA), the Order of Omega, and Reality Check. ISO contacted San Jorge Children’s Hospital in San Juan, which will be delivering food, bottled water, free medication, and free medical services throughout the islands surrounding Puerto Rico.

Alexandra Alfonso Castro, a senior chemistry major and member of ISO, finds it important to support this cause at Behrend. “We have plenty of Puerto Rican students that are currently at Behrend as well as alumni,” Castro said. “Behrend is a very service-oriented community and I think the community would support this cause regardless of Puerto Rican students or not. However, there’s that motivation that Behrend does have Puerto Rican students with families that are still there and they want to help because of that.”

The ISO fundraiser will be taking place October 30 to November 10 in front of Paw’s by Bruno’s from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m., where ribbons and buttons will be offered for $1 donations, although any amount is encouraged and appreciated. All proceeds will go to San Jorge Children’s Hospital.