Bragg soldiers assist Puerto Rico in recovery of Maria aftermath

FORT BRAGG, North Carolina (WTVD) -- Soldiers from Fort Bragg are on the ground in Puerto Rico trying to make a difference on the hurricane-ravaged island.

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New numbers show the Pentagon estimating more than 11,000 active duty and National Guard troops have been deployed to Puerto Rico so far. They've provided nearly 6 million liters of water.

About 40 soldiers with the Third Expeditionary Sustainment Command are in San Juan, Puerto Rico.

They've been there for almost a week now. The unit deployed last Friday from the Green Ramp on Fort Bragg. Since the soldiers have been on the island, they've witnessed people desperately trying to feed and provide water for their families.

Staff Sgt. Jarrett Daniel told ABC11 the lines at local grocery stores take hours and once you get inside, supplies are limited. Soldiers have devoted most of their time to distribute MRE's, water, and gas to help sustain other emergency responders.

"You have the potential to lose everything in a swift moment and now you don't know where anything else is coming from. For me, it was hard to see and understand that. I'm just thankful to be here and lend a helping hand to the people of Puerto Rico," Daniel said.

The unit is in San Juan, but plans to venture out to surrounding communities to provide assistance where needed. It will be in Puerto Rico as long as it takes to help get the island back on its feet.