In the year 2017, many countries were affected by natural disasters, especially Latin American countries. Although many people from these countries banded together to help each other, many still ignored the tragedies that these countries endured. In Puebla, Mexico, 200 people were killed by a 7.1 magnitude earthquake. While in Puerto Rico thousands of people were left without food, water and electricity after hurricane Maria. To this day, many people are still left without electricity.

On September 20th, 2017, a 7.1 magnitude earthquake hit the state of Puebla in Mexico. The Puebla earthquake toppled buildings and destroyed schools in Mexico City, killing around 22 children in an elementary school. Earlier in the day,

the people of Mexico practiced earthquake drills and

took part in commemorative events, as it was the

anniversary of the 1985 Mexico City earthquake. The

Puebla earthquake came a little more than a week after

an 8.1 magnitude earthquake in Oaxaca, Mexico. The

Oaxacan earthquake killed almost 90 people. It is

difficult to see somany disastrous earthquakes take

place in a part ofMexico so dear to me personally. It

gets even more difficult having to call family, hoping

that everyone is safe. It was a hard time for Mexico,

but mostly everyone came together to help emergency responders. Although many lives were lost, Mexicans came together to save as many as they could. 

Hurricane Maria was the third costliest earthquake in history. Perhaps the country that received the worst end was Puerto Rico, a highly-populated small island south of Florida. The Puerto Rican government released an official death toll of 64, but many suspect the count to be higher. The category 4 storm ravaged the island leaving 3.4 million people without power, and many without clean water. As of now, one third of the population is without power and 1 million people still do not have drinking water. Although Puerto Rico is a part of the United States, they are not receiving the help that they need. Since Puerto Ricans cannot believe in a president that throws paper towels at them, many celebrities are stepping up to help them. In particular Lin-Manuel Miranda has made a great impact on the island. He has set up funds for the people of Puerto Rico and has created music with other stars of Puerto Rican decent, sending all proceeds to first responders. For Three Kings Day, he teamed up with Toys-R-Us to donate toys to the children of Puerto Rico. His constant support and dedication to the island is more than the actual president of the U.S has done.

Through thick and thin, the people of Latin countries can always trust in each other. Whether it be a corrupt government or disastrous events, there will always be someone there fighting with them. It can be a neighbor or an American celebrity of Latin decent, but in the end we will always be there for one another.