‘Pagan, Alamagan, Agrigan also need aid’

Much attention is focused on Saipan right now due to the widespread damage of Typhoon Soudelor but Northern Islands residents also need assistance to rebuild after Typhoon Nangka destroyed several homes and structures last month.

Northern Islands Mayor Jerome K. Aldan said he and several of his staff went north to conduct damage assessment soon after Typhoon Nangka moved away from the region.

Aldan said that Pagan, Agrigan, and Alamagan were affected and all homes were damaged by Nangka’s 145 to 160 miles per hour winds after making landfall last July 9. Nine residents call the three Northern Islands home.

Aldan said that Alamagan sustained some damage but Agrigan and Pagan had greater damage since most homes on both islands only have tin roofs.

According to Jose Selepeo of the Northern Islands Mayor’s Office, Edward L. Saures’ house, which is made of tin, was damaged and its outside kitchen was totally destroyed.

Aldan said that tins covering the concrete water tanks, which the residents use for cooking, drinking, and showering, were all blown off.

He said three concrete water catchment tanks were damaged. Two concrete water catchments are next to a dispensary while the other is next to the beach or docking area.

“The only outside assistance that was extended to the residents of Agrigan was from American Red Cross-NMI Chapter. Red Cross donated ice chests, blankets, comfort kits, rakes, and shovels for the residents to use,” Aldan said.

On Pagan, the roof of former Northern Islands mayor Tobias Aldan’s house blew off and his storage shack was totally damaged, Aldan said.

The house of another Pagan resident, Santiago Castro, was also totally damaged, including his outside kitchen and toilet. Other residents’ houses also sustained some damage.

The Red Cross was able to provide ice chests, blankets, comfort kits, rakes, and shovels.

Assistance needed

Aldan said his office needs assistance to obtain lumber, tin, nails, and concrete materials to assist the residents in covering the water wells, which they use for cooking and showering so that debris and dirt does not fall in.

“The materials are also needed to replace the dilapidated wood used as windows for the church, which the residents use as typhoon shelter. The single sideband radio communication also needs upgrading or replacement. Residents…oftentimes are unable to transmit information from Pagan to the main island of Saipan,” he said.

For Agrigan, lumber, tin, nails, and even concrete materials are needed for the renovation of a concrete water catchment and the tin roof for the dispensary. Aldan said the latter is used as a typhoon shelter and radio room.

“The single sideband radio communication also needs upgrading or replacement as well,” he said.