It is important to take care of the health of Latinos during the reconstruction process following the fires in LA.

The recent wildfires in Los Angeles have affected Latinos more than other communities. Thousands of Latino families, workers, and small businesses have been displaced, and many have been left adrift, without disaster plans or insurance coverage. UCLA experts have proposed implementing congressional action to protect the health of workers, who are mostly Latino.

Eduardo García, Senior Advisor for Policy and Public Affairs at the Latino Policy Institute at the University of Southern California Los Angeles-UCLA, discusses the impact of the recent fires in the state and how they have affected the Latino community.

He also comments on the contribution Latino workers have made to the recovery process, despite the risks to their health.

Eduardo García warns of the challenges the community faces when applying for aid from agencies like FEMA; one barrier is language.

The UCLA expert indicates that they have made a recommendation to the legislature to allow undocumented individuals to access unemployment benefits.

One of the main challenges is that Latino workers, who are a key part of the reconstruction effort after the fires, need security. Let’s listen to Eduardo García.

He acknowledges that barriers remain to ensuring that recovery funds reach our communities fairly.

Another recommendation they are making as the UCLA Latino Public Policy Institute is proposing to the legislature that they support community organizations, because small businesses were also affected.

Finally, he indicates how we can prepare and prevent ourselves, as a community, from being among the most affected when natural disasters occur, says Eduardo García.