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Puerto Rico

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Project
Supporting Puerto Rico's Disaster Recovery Planning
In response to Hurricanes Irma and Maria in 2017, RAND researchers supported the development of Puerto Rico's economic and disaster-recovery plan. They collected and analyzed damage and needs information, and developed and costed recovery actions that addressed multiple areas of need.
Sep 30, 2020
Q&A
Disaster Recovery in Puerto Rico: Q&A with Marielena Lara
When Hurricane Maria hit Puerto Rico in September 2017, it peeled roofs from houses, turned roads into rivers, and left millions of people without electricity or safe drinking water. Marielena Lara, a senior physician policy researcher at RAND, was grateful to be part of the recovery planning.
Apr 26, 2021

Explore Puerto Rico

Commentary
Puerto Rico's Food Security Must Factor in Planning Energy Security
The tragedy of disaster recovery has unlocked substantial capital for Puerto Rico to rewrite its interdependent security in energy and food. Considering food security in this context could help to ensure the population has access to both power and food.
Feb 24, 2023
Brochure
Disaster Management and Resilience
This brochure describes RAND's work, which directly supports decisionmakers in developing actionable planning and policy for disaster management and resilience.
Oct 20, 2022
Blog
Legalizing Cannabis, the Russian Nuclear Threat, Digital Offshoring: RAND Weekly Recap
This weekly recap focuses on cannabis legalization, the Russian nuclear threat, the effects of digital offshoring, and more.
Oct 14, 2022
Q&A
Q&A with the Experts: Puerto Rico
When Hurricane Fiona struck Puerto Rico on September 18, electricity went out across the island. It was a reminder that recovery from 2017's Hurricane Maria is far from complete. RAND researchers discuss the difficulties Puerto Rico is still facing.
Oct 10, 2022
Research Brief
Future Price Forecasting in the Wake of Large-Scale Disasters: The Case of Puerto Rico After Hurricane María
Large-scale disaster recovery projects in isolated areas likely require unique future price forecasting. This brief describes an occupational analysis and model to estimate the effects of recovery on the price of labor, materials, and equipment.
Jun 17, 2022
Report
Forecasting Public Recovery Expenditures' Effect on Construction Prices and the Demand for Construction Labor
Researchers developed cost-estimating tools and estimated future construction costs for Puerto Rico's recovery from Hurricane María. This report documents their approach, data, findings, and recommendations.
Jun 17, 2022
Journal Article
Remote Sensing for Natural Disaster Recovery: Lessons Learned from Hurricanes Irma and Maria in Puerto Rico
We present how remote sensing data was incorporated into the assessment and planning process, focusing on the applications for Puerto Rico's natural resources in the months following the hurricanes.
Mar 23, 2022
Journal Article
Building A Resilient Telecommunications Sector in Puerto Rico in the Aftermath of Hurricanes Irma and Maria
Describes courses of action for rebuilding the telecommunications sector in Puerto Rico after Hurricane Maria. Significant progress has been made, but substantial investment is still required to achieve a resilient, robust telecommunications sector.
Aug 3, 2021
Periodical
RAND Review: May-June 2021
The cover story highlights the value of invention, analyzing the economic and social impacts of winners of the Lemelson-MIT Prize. A second feature focuses on human rights abuses against ethnic Uyghurs in China and what we know from satellite images.
May 6, 2021
Blog
COVID-19 Disinformation, Biden's Address, Leaving Afghanistan: RAND Weekly Recap
This weekly recap focuses on Russian and Chinese campaigns to spread malign and subversive information on COVID-19, President Biden's address to Congress, the planned U.S. withdrawal from Afghanistan, and more.
Apr 30, 2021
Journal Article
Best Practices and Lessons Learned from Community Engagement and Data Collection Strategies in Post-Hurricane Maria Puerto Rico
This paper examines community engagement and data collection strategies conducted in post-Hurricane Maria Puerto Rico, to assess how outreach approaches elicit different perceptions about disaster recovery and to identify best practices.
Apr 27, 2021
Multimedia
RAND Remote: Partnering with Communities on Puerto Rico Disaster Recovery
In this RAND Remote conversation, Marielena Lara and Gabriela Castro discuss the partnered approach they used to support reconstruction and recovery efforts in Puerto Rico in the aftermath of Hurricanes Irma and Maria.
Feb 25, 2021
Journal Article
Public-private Partnership for Building a Resilient Broadband Infrastructure in Puerto Rico
This article will explore the use of an innovative approach to a public-private partnership to spur the deployment of broadband and create more resilient telecommunications networks in Puerto Rico.
Jan 26, 2021
Report
The Education Sector in Puerto Rico After Hurricane Maria: Predisaster Conditions, Hurricane Damage, and Themes for Recovery
Presenting a strategic approach to aid Puerto Rico's recovery from Hurricanes Irma and Maria, the report details prestorm conditions, assesses damage and recovery needs, and describes courses of action for the Education sector.
Sep 30, 2020
Report
Health and Social Services in Puerto Rico Before and After Hurricane Maria: Predisaster Conditions, Hurricane Damage, and Themes for Recovery
This overview of health and social services in Puerto Rico includes 31 courses of action to better recover from health crises, build a more resilient system to future disasters, and actively promote health and well-being.
Sep 30, 2020
Report
Recovery Planning for Natural Resources and Parks in Puerto Rico: Natural and Cultural Resources Sector Report, Volume I
The 2017 hurricanes harmed Puerto Rico's natural resources. Recommended courses of action, detailed in this report, would restore natural resources, manage solid waste, renew parks, and improve economic opportunities. Damage is characterized.
Sep 30, 2020
Report
Building Back Locally: Supporting Puerto Rico's Municipalities in Post-Hurricane Reconstruction
In Puerto Rico's post-hurricane reconstruction, municipal governments face significant responsibility. The authors recommend ways to target government and other resources where they are needed most to help municipal reconstruction efforts.
Sep 30, 2020
Report
Challenges and Opportunities for the Puerto Rico Economy: A Review of Evidence and Options Following Hurricanes Irma and Maria in 2017
The authors review Puerto Rico's economic history and provide analysis following the 2017 hurricane season that serves as the context for a set of principles and actions in the recovery plan for rebuilding a healthy economy.
Sep 30, 2020
Report
Municipalities on the Front Lines of Puerto Rico's Recovery
How did Hurricanes Irma and Maria affect Puerto Rico's municipalities in terms of their ability to govern, deliver services, and recover from the damage they incurred? An assessment answers this question and suggests courses of action to address damage and improve municipal capacity.
Sep 30, 2020

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Research conducted by

Homeland Security Operational Analysis Center

Researcher Spotlight

Marielena Lara

Senior Physician Policy Researcher

Marielena Lara is a senior physician policy researcher at the RAND Corporation, leading program initiatives to improve the health and social well-being of vulnerable communities. She has spearheaded interdisciplinary teams and multisectoral partnerships in action-oriented implementation and…
Michelle Bongard

Quantitative Analyst

Michelle Bongard (she/her) is a quantitative analyst at the RAND Corporation. She is interested in a broad range of research topics in education, inequality, health, and homeland security. She has worked on projects pertaining to a variety of different topics within education including: social…

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