With nearly 84% of Puerto Rico still without power after Hurricane Maria, Duracell has arrived on the island today and will distribute $1 million of batteries as well as charging mobile devices and internet access through its Power Forward initiative. When natural disasters occur Duracell helps to reconnect communities. Puerto Rico will be its largest distribution effort since it launched in 2011.

PowerForward will charge mobile devices, radios, and flashlights, and provide power for critical medical devices like dialysis machines, hearing aids and ventilators. Duracell is working with the Red Cross to assess areas where there is the most need.

Duracell will update its Twitter and Facebook accounts with the next truck location as it navigates the island.

We have personally seen phenomenal post-recovery efforts in both Nepal after the earthquake and the Philippines after Typhoon Haiyan. We’re hoping to help now when people have the most on-going need during the most harrowing times.

In order to help when disaster strikes, we need the government, NGOs, and the private sector to help as much as possible. For Puerto Rico, it seems they may have to rely on NGOs and the private sector more than they expected.

If you have friends and family in Puerto Rico, please let them know to check the Duracell social accounts for location information.

This is not a compensated post.