Many people are still waiting for help in Puerto Rico, nearly three weeks after Hurricane Maria devastated the island.
- Millions of Puerto Ricans still without power, water
- Many Floridians come together to help the U.S. territory
"When we have these in the continental United States we can get help there quicker, the challenge here is getting everything here," said Mark Thorpe, a commander of a federal disaster relief team assisting the island.
Millions of people in the U.S. territory are still living without electricity, water and other basic needs.
Thorpe says it is tough to hear criticism about a lack of urgency in the relief efforts.
"When the hurricane came over, we were here ...," said Thorpe as he was choking back tears.
Thorpe says that as of right now, every day locals are helping each other as the distribution of supplies continues.
Central Florida residents got together this weekend to put together boxes filled with critical survival items to send to people in Puerto Rico.
Local doctor Alfredo Tirado just returned from the island. He was there assisting the victims in Hurricane Maria’s aftermath.
“I've been in mission trips with Florida Hospital before and traveled to Peru and Honduras but seeing your own community devastated like this, there is really nothing that can prepare you for that,” Tirado said.
Tirado along with doctors from Florida Hospital are continuing to travel to the area providing health care and support for those on the island.