Puerto Rico: Restless & Resilient

Cronkite Borderlands Project | Nov. 6, 2018

On Sept. 20, 2017, the U.S. territory of Puerto Rico was devastated by the most powerful hurricane to hit the island in 85 years, leaving its 3.6 million residents – the vast majority U.S. citizens – without power, without potable water, with severely damaged infrastructure and with little hope for a quick recovery. In March 2018 a team of student reporters from the Walter Cronkite School of Journalism and Mass Communication at Arizona State University traveled to Puerto Rico to assess recovery efforts. They found parts of the island still devastated, but its people determined to rebuild and move forward.

Documentary

Stories

Puerto Rico’s push for food independence intertwined with debate over statehood

Without researchers or funds, Puerto Rico universities grapple with future after Hurricane Maria

Hurricane provides opportunity for Puerto Rico’s battered tourism industry

Puerto Rico school turns adversity into strength after Hurricane Maria

Family struggles to care for daughter in wake of Puerto Rico power outages

Puerto Rican retirees face uncertainty on pension cuts after Hurricane Maria

Arizona State University professor’s ‘teach in the dark’ lessons connect communities after Hurricane Maria

A tale of two towns: Puerto Ricans rebuild with hope for brighter future

Study puts Hurricane Maria’s death toll at more than 4,600; some residents still struggle with power

Groups work to help Puerto Ricans recover after Hurricane Maria

Puerto Rico’s mountain communities cope with Hurricane Maria’s aftermath

Hurricane Maria’s impact on Puerto Rico’s coffee crops

About the project

For this project, student reporters spent two semesters studying the issues involved and spent eight days on the ground reporting from Puerto Rico, where they were led and guided by Cronkite School faculty members.

“Puerto Rico: Restless and Resilient” was made possible by a grant from the Howard G. Buffett Foundation, the Illinois-based nonprofit organization founded by the international photojournalist, author and philanthropist.

Learn more about the project and team.

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