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Puerto Rican Rapper Princess Nokia Launches Fundraiser For Hurricane Maria Recovery

Princess Nokia
Photography: Milah Libin

The New York-born performer hopes to raise $100k for the island's "apocalyptic" loss. 

"Tomboy" rapper Princess Nokia, who's New York-born and Puerto Rican, has launched a fundraiser to support the island-wide devastation caused by Hurricane Maria. Hosted on GoFundMe with a goal of $100k, the queer performer's initiative aims to bring direct financial aid to the U.S. territory, while also raising awareness about the "apocalyptic" loss that's set Puerto Rico back several decades.

Related | Jennifer Lopez Donates $1 Million to Puerto Rico Hurricane Recovery

"It is estimated that 1.6 million households have had no electricity for five days," Nokia outlines in a video. "As of now, 11 of the 69 hospitals in the entire island have some sort of power. All major satellite transmitters and phone operators have been entirely out of power. The majority of the population have [sic] no contact with the outside world and are unable to communicate their needs in time of relief, nor are they able to inform their loved ones that they are safe or alive."

Nokia continues, highlighting some of the fundamental human necessities Puerto Ricans are lacking in the wake of Maria, including food, shelter, medical supplies and fuel. Around 56 percent of the island's total population has no safe drinking water, as well. Therefore, "elderly, terminally ill, pregnant and expecting medical patients" are especially suffering and at risk of death if they don't receive proper medical accomodations--and fast.

Donations to Nokia's GoFundMe will serve to cover costs of the following: clean water, gasoline, medical supplies, medical coverage, non-perishable foods, on-site meals, trauma counseling, cargo plane expenses and cost of air fare. When entering Puerto Rico becomes more accessible, the New York rapper will also organize a relief trip with a "trusted group of disaster relief organizers, construction volunteers, and medical and spiritual practitioners."

Watch Princess Nokia's message, below, and donate to her Hurricane relief fund, here.

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