What Is One America Appeal? Presidents' Charity Aids Puerto Rico's Hurricane Maria Victims

The five living former United States presidents have expanded their charity efforts in the wake of Hurricane Maria to benefit those in Puerto Rico. One America Appeal, an effort launched by the former presidents, was originally intended to aid victims of Hurricane Harvey. Now, the appeal will also aim to help Maria’s victims in places like Puerto Rico and the Virgin Islands.

“In the Caribbean, donations will be distributed to Unidos Por Puerto Rico, launched by the office of First Lady Beatriz Rossello, together with private sector coalition, and the Fund for the Virgin Islands, which was established 25 years ago by the Community Foundation of the Virgin Islands for relief efforts,” One America Appeal said on its website.

Donations of $25, $50, $100, $250, $300 or a custom amount can be made through the website. One America Appeal allows those who donate to help victims of Hurricanes Harvey, Irma and Maria or to choose a specific recovery effort to donate to.

“As former presidents, we wanted to help our fellow Americans begin to recover,” Barack Obama said in a video about the effort.

President Donald Trump tweeted his support for One America Appeal earlier in the month.

“We will confront ANY challenge, no matter how strong the winds or high the water,” the president wrote. “I’m proud to stand with Presidents for #OneAmericaAppeal.”

Puerto Rico, left devastated by Hurricane Maria, is in dire need of aid. The storm could cost the island up to $72 billion, Forbes reported, citing AIR Worldwide.

Gov. Ricardo Rosello called the situation a “humanitarian crisis.” Many residents on the island have said aid has been far too slow in coming to the region. Rosello urged Congress to approve an aid package that would help Puerto Rico rebuild in the aftermath of the storm.

“We need something tangible, a bill that actually answers to our need right now,” said Rossello. “Otherwise, there will be a massive exodus to the [mainland] United States.”

The Trump administration, however, has pushed back against allegations that aid hasn’t been fast enough. The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) said on Twitter it had deployed more than 10,000 federal employees to Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands to help with recovery. Brock Long, FEMA’s administrator, and Homeland Security Adviser Tom Bossert were both headed to Puerto Rico, said White House Press Secretary Sarah Huckabee Sanders.

“The federal response has been anything but slow,” said Sanders. “There’s been an unprecedented push through of billions of dollars in federal assistance.”