CARE still fortifying disaster relief services

Members of the CNMI Commonwealth Advocates in Recovery Efforts, or CARE, convened Tuesday at the Governor’s Office conference room for a briefing on disaster logistics and support.

CARE volunteer Lauri Ogumoro stated that Karidat, through the support and donations of the Bay Area to Saipan relief drive, received a 40-foot container loaded with donations to be distributed to the community soon.

Ogumoro also stated that Karidat has raised $10,250 in donations for CARE but are waiting on the $20,000 seed funding from the local government to be used toward the limited term appointment salary for a director of CARE in order to fortify the operations of the organization.

In addition to this, acting governor Ralph DLG Torres announced that the Americorps Program extension was approved which allows for an additional three weeks of Americorps outreach and recovery support efforts.

Americorps assistant supervisor Jackson Owens said that they trained volunteers on team leadership, canvassing the community and conducting damage assessments and debris removal.

As of last week, he says, “There were 77 damage assessments in Chalan Kanoa and this weekend our focus will be in Garapan.”

Jenny Hegland, who spearheaded United 4 Saipan during Typhoon Soudelor, shared that over 100 people volunteered last weekend for a cleanup in Chalan Kanoa with another cleanup taking place this Saturday in Garapan.

Ben Curran, voluntary liaison of the Federal Emergency Management Agency-Pacific Area Office, provided an update to CARE on geographic information systems mapping to enable the American Red Cross-NMI Chapter and CARE to efficiently determine communities with differentiating needs.

“GIS mapping would produce maps that depict hot spots of hardest hit communities and from a case management perspective would specify visually where resources are in certain villages,” he said.

These villages he says are among the 8,790 clients who are registered with FEMA availing to a total of $23.7 million available funding.

Curran stated that looking at our vulnerabilities makes case management and disaster outreach a success.

Glen Hunter, CARE communications and resource development subcommittee member, stated that the organization is continuing to maintain their website and disaster information as needed.

CARE, in partnership with the local government and private organizations, is made of seven committees that include a steering committee, communications and resource development, case management and spiritual/emotional care, construction, workforce recovery, public health, and volunteer and donation management.

For those unable to avail of FEMA or in need of more assistance, call 783-4204 or email cnmicare@gmail.com.