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Interior provides $584K to aid typhoon recovery
Kia’aina to survey typhoon relief efforts and discuss natural disaster mitigation plans with leadership
WASHINGTON, D.C.—Interior Assistant Secretary for Insular Areas Esther Kia’aina has approved $584,000 for the CNMI government as the community continues to recover from Typhoon Soudelor, which hit the CNMI on Aug. 2. The Assistant Secretary will also visit Saipan and Tinian next week to survey relief efforts in the aftermath of the typhoon and discuss hazard mitigation plans with CNMI leadership.
While the territory is eligible for disaster assistance from the Federal Emergency Management Agency and other federal agencies under Presidential Disaster Declaration (DR-4235), funding is still necessary to help the CNMI resume normal operations and cover unmet needs not specifically eligible for assistance under federal disaster programs.
“We are pleased to support the work of our federal partners on the ground as we work together to support Gov. Eloy Inos and the people of the Northern Marianas,” said Kia’aina. “FEMA, in partnership with the Governor’s Office, has done a great job of coordinating federal relief efforts during this difficult time. I appreciate and commend FEMA, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, the U.S. Coast Guard, Agriculture, Commerce, Defense, Education, Energy, EPA, Health and Human Services, Housing and Urban Development, Interior, Labor, the Small Business Administration, and Transportation agencies, as well as the many non-government organizations, including the Red Cross, and neighboring island governments who have lent generous assistance.”
While in the territory next week, Kia’aina will be briefed by FEMA and the governor’s Emergency Management team on the status of typhoon recovery, hazard mitigation efforts and planning, including hardening of public infrastructure. She will also meet with various CNMI leaders including the governor and members of the Legislature. Lastly, she will survey some of the hardest hit residential areas, including most affected public facilities such as the utilities, the hospital, schools, and the Northern Marianas College.
The assistant secretary will also travel to Tinian to meet with Mayor Joey P. San Nicolas and survey capital improvement projects and infrastructure on Tinian.
All ports and the hospital on Saipan are in full operation; however, efforts to bring back full power and water distribution to all households on Saipan are still ongoing. (OIA)
