Government of the Federated States of Micronesia

FEMA avails individual and public assistance for Chuuk’s recovery

Palikir, Pohnpei (FSM Information Service): August 1, 2002 – The United States Federal Emergency Management Agency announced the extension of its assistance to Chuuk to include Individual Assistance for victims of Chataan.

On July 30, FEMA issued this statement:

“(Dededo, Guam) – Disaster Assistance has been expanded for Chuuk State to help those victims who suffered damage or losses caused by Tropical Storm Chata’an, the head of the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) announced today. Damage to Chuuk, one of the states in the Federated States of Micronesia, included extreme flooding, mudslides and landslides.

FEMA Director Joe M. Allbaugh said Individual Assistance has been added to the disaster declaration issued on July 11 by President Bush, based upon initial damage assessments gathered by federal/state and the Federated States of Micronesia officials.

Allbaugh said that residents and business owners in Chuuk will soon be able to apply for a wide range of disaster assistance programs under the major disaster declaration.

Aid can include funding for temporary housing, U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) low-interest disaster loans for homeowners, renters and businesses of all sizes to repair or replace damaged property, grants for serious needs and necessary expenses not met by other programs, and crisis counseling assistance.

Additional information on registration procedures will be announced as soon as they are finalized.

In addition to Individual Assistance, the declaration expanded Public Assistance to include Categories C through G, which covers roads and bridges, water control facilities, buildings and equipment, utilities, parks, recreational facilities, and other items.”