As Puerto Rico grapples with a severe drought and water shortages affecting hundreds of thousands of residents, New York state is partnering with the Afya Foundation, a Westchester-based humanitarian relief organization, to send emergency drinking water to the island.

Puerto Rico has been dealing with drought conditions that officials say have impacted nearly 500,000 people, prompting water rationing measures in and around San Juan.

To help address the crisis, New York state, the Afya Foundation and local donors are supplying 26 pallets of emergency drinking water for residents affected by the shortages. The first shipment, consisting of 180 cases of bottled water, is scheduled to leave Saturday.

Yonkers City Council member John Rubbo, who is supporting the effort, noted that many people take access to clean water for granted, while residents in Puerto Rico are facing significant challenges obtaining safe drinking water.

According to David Bourns, chief operating officer of the Afya Foundation, the organization hopes the shipment will provide immediate relief while raising awareness about the urgency of the situation.

The foundation has supported Puerto Rico since 2017 and is continuing to accept donations to assist with the response.