Soudelor relief: What’s next?

Now that President Obama has issued a major disaster declaration for the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands, federal funds will be released to help individuals recover from the destruction of Typhoon Soudelor. Delegate Gregorio Kilili C. Sablan says that there are two important ways that aid will be quickly available.

“One first step individuals can take is to register with FEMA, the Federal Emergency Management Agency,” Sablan said.

There are three ways to register:
• Online at www.DisasterAssistance.gov

• Via smartphone at m.fema.gov

• By calling 1-800-621-3362, or for those who have a speech disability or hearing loss and use TTY, 1-800-462-7585 directly

The 800 lines are open between noon and midnight Eastern Daylight Time or between 2am and 2pm Chamorro Standard Time.

Whichever system is used, applicants should have the following information at hand:

• Social Security Number;

• Insurance information, if any;

• Damage information (what was damaged: the home, vehicle);

• Family’s total annual household income, before taxes, at the time of the disaster; and

• Contact information: address and phone number.

“Financial assistance for people who lost their homes to pay for temporary lodging or rent is one form of help that registration can bring,” Sablan said.

“The congressional office is also looking into where safe, habitable housing is available, given the widespread damage to residences.

“FEMA may also be able to help cover costs of repairs for homes that can be repaired or complete replacement for homes that were destroyed.”

Federal funds to replace lost food
“Another issue for many people is the food that was lost because of water damage during and after the storm or because of the loss of refrigeration.

“Fortunately, the federal Nutritional Assistance Program for the Northern Mariana Islands currently has a fund balance of about $3 million.

“I will be supporting the decision by the NAP office and the Food and Nutrition Service of the U.S. Department of Agriculture to make this money available immediately to anyone in the Northern Marianas in need of food. I understand that NAP is already printing up the paper food stamps they will be distributing.

“These food benefits will be available regardless of the citizenship or income requirements that normally apply to the NAP program.

“The point is to get food to families who were left with nothing by Typhoon Soudelor. And, of course, spending that money will also help kick start economic activity, encouraging stores to reopen and wholesalers to begin resupplying the islands.” (Office of the Delegate)