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The Emergency in Puerto Rico Is Over, Sort of ...

Five months into the response, food and water distribution will no longer be managed by FEMA.

When writing military plans, it was always wise to separate phases of an operation by specific achievable objectives. For instance, Phase II will begin when our forces reach across the river. In the case of FEMA and Puerto Rico, the decision to end the distribution of food and water is a bit more fuzzy. 

See this NPR story on the decision to end food and water distribution, FEMA To End Food And Water Aid For Puerto Rico.

For anyone without power and drinking water, they are definitely still in the response phase. It would seem more logical that those areas without power and water should receive special consideration for continued distribution of supplies.

Perhaps FEMA is saying that the mission is now for the Puerto Rico emergency management to accomplish. So be it — but imagine yourself being without commercial power or drinking water for five months. I'm surprised there isn't more outrage — but we who have had water and power for the last five months have moved on with our lives. 

Eric Holdeman is a contributing writer for Emergency Management magazine and is the former director of the King County, Wash., Office of Emergency Management.
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