Marc Anthony announces relief effort for Maria-devastated Puerto Rico

"It breaks my heart," Anthony said on "Good Morning America."

ByABC News
September 27, 2017, 8:13 AM

— -- Latin pop superstar Marc Anthony has announced the creation of SOMOS UNA VOZ (We Are One Voice), a humanitarian relief initiative that brings together celebrities from sports and entertainment to help Maria-devastated Puerto Rico.

Anthony joined "Good Morning America" live from Miami, Florida, today to make the announcement.

"What we've been able to accomplish in the past 72 hours is put together an alliance," Anthony said. "It's an unprecedented list of artists that combined, we represent 1.3 billion followers. The major announcement is that we actually care and that we're doing something about it."

Hurricane Maria ravaged Puerto Rico, leaving 100 percent of the island without power. The hurricane was a Category 4 storm with winds of 155 miles per hour when it made landfall on the U.S. territory Sept. 20.

PHOTO: Yachts lie wrecked in a marina in the Palmas del Mar resort near Humacao, Puerto Rico, Sept. 24, 2017. Hurricane Maria lashed Puerto Rico as a strong Category 4 storm, causing widespread damage and leaving the island without power.
Yachts lie wrecked in a marina in the Palmas del Mar resort near Humacao, Puerto Rico, Sept. 24, 2017. Hurricane Maria lashed Puerto Rico as a strong Category 4 storm, causing widespread damage and leaving the island without power.

Most of the island is still without power and communication this morning. Friends and relatives in the U.S. are desperate to learn the fate of their loved ones. Anthony also has family living in Puerto Rico.

"Even hearing those stories in my ear, it breaks my heart and this is a reality of what's going on," Anthony said. "You'll be hearing from [SOMOS UNA VOZ] soon with a major announcement coming up in the next week and if anybody's listening, just know that we are coming, just know that we care."

PHOTO: A man tries to rebuild his house after the area was hit by Hurricane Maria in Canovanas, Puerto Rico, Sept. 26, 2017.
A man tries to rebuild his house after the area was hit by Hurricane Maria in Canovanas, Puerto Rico, Sept. 26, 2017.

He added, "Families are desperate, but we're here and ready, willing and able."

Marc Anthony and his ex-wife, Jennifer Lopez, announced the creation of the relief effort today.

PHOTO: Marc Anthony made a major announcement live from Miami on ABC's "Good Morning America" Sept. 27, 2017 on helping those in Puerto Rico who are suffering following Hurricane Maria..
Marc Anthony made a major announcement live from Miami on ABC's "Good Morning America" Sept. 27, 2017 on helping those in Puerto Rico who are suffering following Hurricane Maria.

Funds collected through SOMOS UNA VOZ will be distributed among the American Red Cross, Reach Out Worldwide, United Way and United for Puerto Rico with more beneficiaries to come.

The SOMOS UNA VOZ alliance is working together to rush food, shelter, medicine, power and communications to those in need. Alliance members include Alex Rodriguez, Alejandro Fernandez, Alex Sensation, Bruno Mars, Camila, Chayanne, Daddy Yankee, Ed Sheeran, Edward Norton and many more.

ABC's Jason Chervokas contributed to this report.

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