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(EMAILWIRE.COM, October 02, 2009 ) WASHINGTON - The U.S. Department of Homeland Security's Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) is continuing the coordination of federal response efforts to the U.S. Territory of the American Samoa following TuesdayÂ’s Pacific Ocean earthquake, tsunami, and flooding affecting the territory.
On Tuesday, the president declared a major disaster for American Samoa and ordered federal aid to supplement the territorial and local recovery efforts. The president's action makes federal funding available to individuals and communities impacted by the disaster.
Federal assistance provides immediate resources to address response, including urgent life sustaining activities and public health and safety measures. Assistance can include grants for temporary housing and home repairs, low-cost loans to cover uninsured property losses, and other programs to help individuals and business owners recover from the effects of the disaster. Federal funding is also available to eligible local governments and certain private nonprofit organizations on a cost-sharing basis for debris removal and emergency protective measures, including direct federal assistance. Federal funding also is available on a cost-sharing basis for hazard mitigation measures for American Samoa.
“Our thoughts and prayers go out to the people that have been impacted by this event, and we will continue working as a team with our territorial and federal partners to respond to the disaster caused by Tuesday’s tsunami in the Pacific Ocean.” said FEMA’s Administrator Craig Fugate. “Our first team was on the ground by Wednesday, and today, with the support of our federal partners, we continue to respond to the needs of the survivors in the impacted communities.”
The FEMA National Response Coordination Center (NRCC) and the FEMA Regional Response Coordination Center (RRCC) in Region IX have been operating around the clock since Tuesday. FEMA deployed an Incident Management Assistance Team (IMAT) as well as a Planning and Response Team (PRT) to American Samoa to provide direct support and response. Kenneth R. Tingman, the Federal Coordinating Officer (FCO) for federal response and recovery operations is touring the affected area with the governor of American Samoa.
FEMA continues to facilitate the flow of resources to support the immediate needs of survivors including meals, water and blankets.
FEMAÂ’s National Emergency Family Registry and Locator System (NEFRLS) and The American Red Cross Safe and Well Program have been activated to reunite families that have become separated as a result of this disaster. Individuals and families can register with NEFRLS online at www.fema.gov or call 1-800-588-9822. Families can also register on the Red Cross Safe and Well Website at www.redcross.org or call 1-800-RED-CROSS (1-800-733-2767) to register your loved ones.
Other Federal Agencies and non-governmental organizations are providing the following assistance efforts to the impacted region:
· U.S. Coast Guard: Assisting with flights to deploy teams to the American Samoa and disaster relief supplies; conducting shoreline cleanup and assessments; deployed team to inspect vessels and regulated facilities; developed a plan to re-float two large fishing vessels;
· U.S. Department of Health and Human Services: Deploying Disaster Medical Assistance Teams to provide medical support to survivors; a public health official has been deployed along with other support staff including public health experts; providing medical and pharmaceutical equipment and supplies;
· U.S. Department of the Interior: Deploying National Park Service (NPS) specialists to assess damage to NPS facilities and resources and assist with ongoing recovery efforts; deployed staff to conduct a needs assessment with the local fire department; Interior’s Assistant Secretary for Insular Areas, Anthony Babauta and the Director, Office of Insular Affairs, Nik Pula are departing to American Samoa to coordinate with FEMA’s Federal Coordinating Officer and American Samoa’s Governor;
· U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE): At present time, USACE is deploying the 249th Engineering Battalion to support emergency power needs for critical public facilities; deploying subject matter experts in debris management, water/wastewater, and power to assist in response efforts;
· U.S. Department of Defense (DOD): Defense Coordinating Officer has been deployed;
· U.S. Pacific Command (DOD): Providing refrigeration support to operations; USS Ingram prepared to assist with equipment and supplies;
· National Guard Bureau: Deployed personnel including those with medical and search and rescue experience and disaster relief supplies; deploying specialized communication gear and support staff;
· Small Business Administration (SBA): Deploying approximately 40 assistance workers to assist in recovery efforts; SBA customer service representatives will issue disaster loan applications, answer questions about the loan program, explain the process and answer questions;
· Internal Revenue Service (IRS): Victims of the recent tsunami in American Samoa may qualify for tax relief from the Internal Revenue Service. The IRS is postponing certain deadlines for taxpayers who reside or have a business in the disaster area. For details and additional information please visit www.irs.gov, use keyword American Samoa Tsunami;
· American Red Cross: Deployed special liaison to American Samoa; dozens of volunteers on the ground in American Samoa providing food and supplies in affected areas; a leadership team of approximately 50 volunteers is on its way to the island to supplement the local Red Cross workforce; providing cots, flashlights, cooking supplies and clean-up supplies;
FEMA is also monitoring the potential need for support to islands and sovereign countries outside of the U.S. territories. U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID), Office of U.S. Foreign Disaster Assistance (OFDA) is the lead U.S. Government office responsible for providing humanitarian assistance in response to international emergencies and disasters for other countries impacted by this event, and the U.S. State Department is monitoring reports from field units and coordinating with FEMA should assistance be required under the Compact of Free Association.
Non-governmental organizations, including the American Red Cross and other voluntary and faith-based groups, are also providing assistance to the impacted region. Financial contributions to disaster relief organizations in the form of cash donations will allow voluntary organizations to fund response and recovery efforts quickly and provide goods and services to disaster survivors. Information for volunteer and donation efforts can be found at: www.fema.gov.
FEMA also has personnel, including an Incident Management Assistance Team, and equipment pre-positioned in Guam in preparation for potential landfall or effects of Typhoon Melor on the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands and Guam.
FEMA's mission is to support our citizens and first responders to ensure that as a nation we work together to build, sustain, and improve our capability to prepare for, protect against, respond to, recover from, and mitigate all hazards.
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