Puerto Ricans living in the Hudson Valley watched as the Carribean island was struck by second earthquake early Tuesday, just a day after experiencing the first one.

"All my family is there. We've been trying to get in touch, but the communication has been very hard and very poor," says Jose Roman, of the Puerto Rican Cultural Foundation in Yonkers.

Roman is worried how the U.S. will respond this time to the U.S. territory, as the Caribbean island still recovers from Hurricane Maria 2 ½ years ago.

"We have been treated as second class citizens because we have not received the same help and aid that other states have been getting," Roman says.

 

Help is on the way.

Gov. Andrew Cuomo announced Tuesday that the New York Power Authority is heading to the island to assist in emergency response efforts.

Afya is also among the first organizations to deliver medical supplies after the natural disaster. The nonprofit is still in Puerto Rico helping with recovery efforts following Hurricane Maria. Afya has been sending volunteers and supplies since the hurricane hit.

"Just imagine with earthquakes, the damage we know they can do, the people who will be in desperate need of help again," says Afya Chief Operating Officer David Bourns.

The Afya Foundation will be collecting and sorting supplies on Sunday, Jan. 12, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at its warehouse located at 140 Saw Mill River Road in Yonkers.

Anybody interested in donating or volunteering can email the Afya Foundation at volunteer@afyafoundation.org or call 914-920-5081.

The list of supplies needed includes toothpaste, toothbrushes, dental floss, soap, razors, lotion, baby formula, baby diapers, adult diapers and first aid kits.

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