The Federal Emergency Management Agency announced on March 3 the awarding of nearly $14 million to Mennonite General Hospital in Puerto Rico for repairs to facilities in Aguas Buenas, Cayey, Cidra and Guayama.

FEMA has awarded more than $20 million overall for the nonprofit hospital system to address damage from Hurricane María, a deadly Category 5 hurricane that devastated the Caribbean in 2017.

The funding will address mold problems, replace acoustic ceilings, grids and doors, and insulate ductwork and pipes in four hospitals.

“It is a priority to ensure that our caring environment is adequate, safe and effective to meet the health needs that may arise,” said Mennonite Health System executive director Ricardo Hernández. “The continuity of services is crucial, mainly in the mountain area where our facilities are located, and where we receive over 300,000 visits a year.”

MHS was founded in 1944 in Aibonito and today has nearly 700 physicians and about 70 volunteers working in a chain of hospitals in Puerto Rico.