Emergency assistance center expects to serve over 15,000

Food assistance for victims of Supertyphoon Chaba may serve over 15,000 people, according to the Emergency Food Assistance Center on Saipan.

Department of Community and Cultural Affairs Nutrition Assistance Program administrative officer Joe Flores indicated Monday that thousands of people have and are still swarming the EFA centers on Saipan, Tinian, and Rota in hopes of gaining approval for food vouchers.

“We’re busy everyday. We’re expecting probably close to 15,000 people not in the program,” he said in an interview. “In addition to that, on a daily basis, our program provides assistance to over 2,200 families on a monthly basis.”

Flores said while anyone can apply for assistance, processing for those not already under NAP may be lengthy.

“Those that are not in the program can come in and apply, but we have to take a look at their income, their resources, their disaster related expenses that are not reimbursable. It will take a while because we have to conduct proper screening to ensure if they’re eligible or not,” he said. “For ongoing clients, it’s fast. All they have to do is bring their NAP ID card, their papers are processed, and their benefits are issued.”

Flores said that, while families not under NAP are considered for half a month of food supplies, members of the program will be accommodated for nine days worth of supply.

“Supertyphoon Chaba hit on Aug. 22, and those that are in the program, we will supply from that date and [eight] days after. This is only supplemental benefit,” he said. “We issue what we call replacements benefits for clients currently in the program.”

Flores said the centers were created only after President Bush declared the NMI a disaster area.

“When the disaster declaration came in, our governor requested assistance through our grantor, USDA-Food and Nutrition Services based in San Francisco, to provide funding to issue disaster benefits,” he said. “Approval came in last week, and we made all the necessary preparations two weeks ago, ordering additional forms and disaster coupons and everything.”

Those approved have until Sept. 30 before benefits expire.

“We issue new disaster cards valid only from Sept. 18-30,” he said. “It’s not like the regular coupon. It has a different design and different color and will be used only to buy food supply. The card and coupons expire on [Sept.] 30th.”

He said USDA-FNS would also provide compensation to volunteers serving at the centers. Currently, volunteers are comprised of staff within DCCA.

“We are fortunate to have several volunteers within the department. If we could have more volunteers we would speed up the process. Our grantor will compensate their overtime. That’s my understanding. Their regular pay will be taken cared off by their office, but anything in excess of their regular pay will be compensated [by grantor].”