Shelters close down

Long-term shelters for victims of Typhoon Soudelor were officially closed down yesterday, nearly six weeks after the typhoon made a direct hit on Saipan.

According to Department of Community and Cultural Affairs Secretary Laura Ogumoro, Sept. 8 was their official date of closure.

“This is the longest we’ve had. It’s a major disaster, it’s expected that shelters will be open for longer durations,” Ogumoro told Saipan Tribune.

Ogumoro said the evacuees were informed since last week that shelters at the Office of Aging in China Town and the Kagman Community Center will be closed yesterday.

The Arts Council Office on Capital Hill first closed as a shelter last week.

“They started moving out over the weekend,” she said.

Many of the evacuees were assisted by the Commonwealth Office of Transit Authority in moving out.

From about 122 individuals, the number of evacuees dropped to about 28 individuals yesterday—most of them already getting ready to leave.

Among those who Saipan Tribune caught up with while packing their belongings at the Office of Aging yesterday was Kyle Omengkar, a resident of Garapan.

“We don’t have anything now. We don’t have a place to stay. We have a tent but we’ll check some family who are close by,” Omengkar said.

He said they were advised about the closure of the shelter, though it is “not really okay.”

“[I’m] not really okay with it but this is what we have to do,” he added.

Unlike Omengkar, whose worries were plainly written on his face, other evacuees were actually anxious to go home, Ogumoro said.

“There’s been mixed reactions with leaving the shelters. At the same time, you know we’re trying to be very sensitive to their welfare and their plight. We’re not going to leave them out in the cold but we will assist them in the transition. If they cannot absolutely find a place to stay, then perhaps we will reconsider but we will help in the transitioning,” Ogumoro said.

She pointed out that evacuees who have special needs will still be accommodated. Those staying at KCC will be transferred to the Aging Office.

“Those that are challenged with some health problems [and] special needs will be accommodated further until they are able to find alternative housing,” Ogumoro said.

About two families in the Aging Office and around six individuals from KCC have special needs. They don’t have to be hospitalized but need power for their equipment as well as air-conditioning.

“The rest will have to go home. I know most of them are FEMA-assisted already. I know some of them are looking or have located rental places,” Ogumoro said.

She said it is advisable for people to start putting their lives back together and getting things back to normal.

“We’ve got to start somewhere. We can’t just sit and make things happen. We’ve got to make them happen,” Ogumoro said.