Five hundred families living in and around Caguas, Puerto Rico are receiving tools and supplies to repair their homes through a partnership between Habitat for Humanity and Save the Children. The organizations are distributing the first 500 of 2,000 shelter repair kits that are designed to help low-income families across Puerto Rico make interim repairs to homes damaged by Hurricane Maria.

Photos of the distribution are available here. Photos may be published with credit to Habitat for Humanity International.

"Habitat for Humanity is committed to Puerto Rico's long-term recovery," said Amanda Silva, executive director of Habitat for Humanity of Puerto Rico. "These shelter repair kits will help families make immediate repairs to their homes as we begin the multi-year recovery across the island."

"Save the Children is dedicated to making sure children are safe and able to recover physically and emotionally after the devastating storm," said Casey Harrity, emergency response team leader for Save the Children in Puerto Rico. "Providing families with a way to repair their homes is an important step toward getting children into a safe environment and allowing them to regain a sense of normalcy and routine."

The shelter repair kits contain the tools and supplies necessary to perform critical home repairs in Puerto Rico, including large tarps for temporary roof repairs, hammers, flashlights and ropes. See a full list of the contents of the shelter repair kits. The remaining kits will be distributed in different cities on the island this month.

The shelter repair kits are the first phase of Habitat for Humanity's Habitat Hammers Back hurricane recovery initiative in Puerto Rico. Habitat has pledged to assist more than 6,000 families in Puerto Rico, Texas and Florida following the devastation of the hurricanes this year. Habitat for Humanity is developing a long-term recovery strategy in Puerto Rico as assessments are performed and conditions permit. More information on Habitat's hurricane recovery program is available at habitat.org/hurricanes.

Save the Children is leading the distribution of the shelter repair kits in partnership with Habitat for Humanity. The distribution is one part of the international humanitarian organization's work to help children and families impacted by the hurricanes in Texas, Florida and Puerto Rico. In all three locations, Save the Children is helping alleviate immediate needs, restore access to critical child care and education services, and help children overwhelmed by the emergencies to rebound and become more resilient. More information on Save the Children's hurricane recovery programs is available at savethechildren.org.