Previous Story
FEMA slowly demobilizing immediate presence
The Federal Emergency Management Agency is slowly demobilizing their presence on Saipan, with the volunteer-led Community Advocates for Recovery Efforts taking on more and more of the recovery efforts.
“Some FEMA staff have already left the island. The joint field office will close on Dec. 18, while the majority of the programs will transition by Dec. 15,” according to FEMA Pacific Area Office Ben Curran.
He said that FEMA will continue to be involved in the recovery efforts and that the regional office will have a representative visiting Saipan periodically. He said that transition plans will be finalized soon.
According to the latest FEMA statistics, 4,777 applications have been approved for individual assistance amounting to over $24 million approved. This amount is divided by total housing assistance in the amount of $16.6 million and “other needs” assistance in the amount of $7.4 million.
FEMA said that $1.6 million in funding for disaster case management is in the works for approval.
As the FEMA team demobilizes their immediate presence here on the island, Americorps, which has been at the forefront of team leadership training and debris removal, will also be leaving after over 2,400 volunteer hours of service.
