Mexican officials say they plan to send aid, including bottled water and electricity experts, to Puerto Rico as the U.S. territory reels from widespread damage left by Hurricane Maria.
Mexico plans to send a team of energy experts from the country’s Federal Energy Commission, with the hopes of helping to re-establish power generation and distribution in Puerto Rico, the Mexican foreign ministry said in a statement on Wednesday. The country will also send about 30 tons of bottled water and bug spray for adults and children.
Hurricane Maria, the strongest hurricane to hit Puerto Rico in decades, caused at least 34 deaths, and widespread power outages and drinking water shortages across the island, the Associated Press reported. Meanwhile, Mexico is still recovering from the Sept. 19 earthquake that left more than 360 people dead and dozens of buildings flattened throughout the country’s central region.
Mexico has had an awkward time offering disaster relief to the U.S. recently. After Hurricane Harvey hit eastern Texas, the White House didn’t formally accept Mexico’s offer for help, and Texas Gov. Greg Abbott said he’d accept, but only partially. Eventually, Mexico cancelled its offer, as its resources were consumed in the response to last month’s earthquake.
The Mexican government is sending aid to Puerto Rico "in solidarity with the people of the United States," the foreign relations statement said.