Food shortage on Pagan, Agrihan

Over a week after Typhoon Tingting battered the Marianas, some 28 residents on Pagan and Agrihan islands are running out of food, according to the Emergency Management Office.

EMO director Rudolfo Pua said yesterday that a team would be dispatched to both islands to bring food relief to the residents.

“They’re running out of supply,” Pua said. “Agriculture was severely impacted by the storm.”

The office of Northern Islands Mayor Valentin Taisacan and Northern Islands residents living on Saipan pooled the donated goods, which would be shipped to affected residents on Agrihan and Pagan possibly today.

Pua said the shipment would take at least a day of sea travel, He said the EMO was arranging with the entity that uses the Saipan Crew Boat.

As of press time, however, Pua could not quantify the volume of food stock that would be brought to Pagan and Agrihan as relief assistance.

The 28 residents of Agrihan and Pagan belong to seven families, the EMO said.

Relief for Saipan residents

The American Red Cross’ CNMI chapter said it has disbursed some $17,000 so far as relief assistance to residents affected by the onslaught of the typhoon.

Red Cross executive director John Hirsh said the group has provided help to at least 40 families, who were given cash grants ranging from $240 to $1,400 each.

Hirsh said the Red Cross ascertains the severity of the losses incurred by the families to determine the amount of cash grants that would be provided them.

“Somebody even lost his entire home,” he said.

Hirsh said at least three houses on Saipan were destroyed, while 225 others sustained damage. He said some 25 houses on Tinian were also damaged. There was no significant damage to houses on Rota, he added.

Hirsh said the Red Cross also provides food and blankets to evacuees taking refuge at the Marianas High School.

More donors

As of yesterday, MHS acting principal Joseph Borja said the number of evacuees went down to 75 from 93 last Friday. “We have community members helping,” he added.

Besides lauding the Red Cross and the EMO for providing food to evacuees, Borja said community groups have extended services and goods to alleviate the conditions at the temporary shelter.

Carmen’s Baby News department store donated baby diapers for infants staying at the evacuation center, while Karidat provided evacuees pillows and clothes.

The Thespian Club organization has been entertaining kids at the shelter through theater presentations, according to Borja. He said the MHS P.E. department also provided basketball and volleyball for evacuees’ use during their stay at the school. Borja urged donors to provide videotapes for children.

Heavy rainfall accompanied Tingting’s strong winds, damaging homes and causing massive flooding in several portions of Saipan. The cleanup operation continues amid yesterday’s fair weather condition.