Gov. Scott Directs the Opening of Disaster Relief Centers to Help Puerto Rican Families
MIAMI, Fla. – Today, Governor Rick Scott announced the opening of Disaster Relief Centers to assist Puerto Rican families displaced by Hurricane Maria at Orlando International Airport, Miami International Airport and the Port of Miami. The Disaster Relief Centers, which will ensure those entering Florida are provided with all available resources from the state, will be fully operational beginning tomorrow, October 3. Governor Scott also thanked the nearly 40 state colleges and universities which have, at the Governor’s request, waived out-of-state tuition and fees for students from Puerto Rico displaced by Hurricane Maria.
Governor Scott said, “Last week, at the request of Governor Ricardo Rosselló, I traveled to Puerto Rico to provide assistance and guidance as they recover from Hurricane Maria. Puerto Rico is absolutely devastated and so many families have lost everything. Our goal is to make sure that while Governor Rosselló is working to rebuild Puerto Rico, any families displaced by Maria that come to Florida are welcomed and offered every available resource from the state. That’s why today, I am proud to announce that per my direction, Disaster Relief Centers will be open and fully operational at Orlando International Airport, Miami International Airport and the Port of Miami beginning tomorrow. These Disaster Relief Centers will help Puerto Ricans coming into Florida get matched with all the available state resources they may need and ensure that as families come into Florida, they are given the tools they need to work and provide their children with a great education.
“With so many families in need, it is great that nearly 40 of Florida’s state colleges and universities have responded to my request and are now waiving out-of-state tuition and fees for students from Puerto Rico displaced by Hurricane Maria. I want to thank our state college and university presidents for answering the call to help these students. We will continue to work collaboratively with our state, local and federal partners to support Puerto Rico’s recovery efforts and do everything we can to help those coming to Florida.”
Updated: Wednesday, November 8, 2017
