Oakland, Calif. -- One year ago today
a devastating earthquake and tsunami struck American Samoa and caused extensive
damage and loss of life. The Department of Homeland Security's Federal
Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) has worked side-by-side with the survivors
since the tragedy, and today the leadership and employees of FEMA offer
their heartfelt condolences and a shared optimism for the future to the
people of American Samoa still struggling to put their lives back together.
UTULEI: Monday, September 20, 2010) -Lieutenant
Governor Faoa Sunia today was presented a check of NZ$1,000,000 as a gift
from the government and people of Papua New Guinea to assist in American
Samoa's recovery efforts from the earthquake and tsunami of September 2009.
In a brief ceremony at the Office of
the Governor, Lieutenant Colonel Michael Kumun, who serves as Defense Adviser
at the Papua New Guinea High Commission in Wellington, New Zealand made
the donation presentation to Lieutenant Governor Faoa on behalf of Prime
(UTULEI: Wednesday, April 21, 2010) -
Governor Togiola Tulafono today proudly accepted a gift of books and school
supplies from the employees of the Department of the Interior.
Interior Field Representative in American
Samoa, Lydia Faleafine-Nomura, on behalf of Secretary Ken Salazar and Assistant
Secretary for Insular Affairs Tony Babauta, presented to Governor Togiola
a thousand pounds of books and school supplies for distribution to the
students of the schools that were damaged by the September 29, 2009 tsunami.
This report covers the period 1 January
2009 to 31 December 2009.
In brief
Programme purpose: To reduce the number
of deaths, injuries and impact from disasters, diseases and public health
emergencies, by effectively using national, regional and international
Red Cross and Red Crescent capacities and resources.
Programme summary: This annual report
is a summary of key achievements of the seven individual plans implemented
by the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies
(IFRC) under its disaster management global programme.
(UTULEI: Saturday, February 6, 2010) -
Governor Togiola Tulafono on his weekly radio program -Mo Lou Silafia-
gave a disaster update on the Permanent Housing Construction Program, the
National Emergency Grant, and Disaster Unemployment Assistance that it
was "moving along and going very well."
Permanent Housing Construction Program
Governor Togiola said Construction Orders
have been issued for three applicants. Fourteen applicants have had their
Land Use Permits approved, while 32 are awaiting Site Inspection Requests.
(UTULEI: Saturday, January 30, 2010) -
Governor Togiola Tulafono today on his weekly radio program gave an update
on the Territory's disaster recovery and rebuilding efforts.
Permanent Housing Construction Program
Governor Togiola said the plans for Direct
Assistance, through the FEMA Permanent Housing Construction Program, are
ongoing with 55 applicants who had total destruction of their home. To
date 44 have received site inspections to determine site feasibility with
12 applicants who have approved land use permits. Each applicant is assigned
Release Date: January 16, 2010
Release Number: HQ-10-002
WASHINGTON, D.C. -- President Barack
Obama today made additional disaster assistance available to the Territory
of American Samoa by authorizing an increase in the level of federal funding
for Public Assistance, including direct federal assistance; Hazard Mitigation;
and the Other Needs Assistance portion of the Individual Assistance Program.
The President's major disaster declaration
issued for the Territory of American Samoa on September 29, 2009, as a
» More Information on American Samoa
Earthquake, Tsunami, and Flooding
Pago Pago, AS - With the concurrence
of the American Samoa Government, the Federal Emergency Management Agency
(FEMA) and the U. S. Small Business Administration (SBA) will close the
Disaster Service Center at the Convention Center in Utulei on Saturday,
Jan. 16th at Noon.
The American Samoa Helpline will remain
open from Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. and will be CLOSED Saturdays.
(UTULEI) - Governor Togiola Tulafono today
expressed his gratitude to Mayor Len Brown of Manukau, New Zealand for
a gift of three condolence books signed by members of the Manukau community
after the tsunami.
In a letter to Governor Togiola, Mayor
Brown said the condolence books were just a small representation of the
genuine grief and suffering felt by the Manukau community in the wake of
the tsunami. Manukau City Council arranged for condolence books to be placed
in libraries and other public areas.
U.S. Department of the Interior, U.S.
Geological Survey
Office of Communication
119 National Center
Reston, VA 20192
Heidi Koontz
Phone: 303-202-4763
At least 1783 deaths worldwide resulted
from earthquake activity in 2009.
The deadliest earthquake of the year
was a magnitude 7.5 event that killed approximately 1117 people in southern
Sumatra, Indonesia on Sept. 30, according to the U.S. Geological Survey
(USGS) and confirmed by the United Nations Office for Coordination of Humanitarian
First Permanent Home to Begin Construction
on January 11, 2010: The construction for the permanent housing program
is scheduled to begin on January 11th for those families who chose to have
FEMA contractors build their house. Site inspections have begun for approval
of work orders with the permanent housing construction program.
Temporary School Facilities: The SPRUNG
structures for the temporary school facilities are still undergoing electrical
work and pre-final inspections. FEMA had hoped for completion in time for
the new semester but encountered challenges with the weather and other
(UTULEI) - Governor Togiola Tulafono
today announced the approval of $49.3 million in Emergency Relief funds
from the Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) for roads damaged in the
disaster.
Governor Togiola said the approval of
Emergency Relief funds, which came in a letter dated December 18, 2009
from the Federal Highway Administration Hawaii Federal-Aid Division, is
to assist the American Samoa Government in repairing damages for the Federal-Aid
highways in the Territory that were damaged due to the earthquake and the
tsunami waves on September 29, 2009.
2009 marked a year of new opportunities
for UMCOR to open doors with new offices, new resources, new opportunities
for disaster trainings, and a new birthing kit added to UMCOR's relief
supplies. Through grant awards, partnerships, and your gifts, UMCOR expands
it operations and network of partners to reach underserved communities.
2009 also brought new resources for United Methodist congregations, with
new tools to strengthen and equip congregations in their health ministries.
(UTULEI) - Governor Togiola Tulafono
today on his weekly radio program "Mo Lou Silafia" on KSBS-FM
92.1 gave an update on Permanent Housing, National Emergency Grant and
Disaster Unemployment Assistance benefits.
PERMANENT HOUSING
Governor Togiola said the American Samoa
Government has been working closely with the Department of Homeland Security,
FEMA and its federal partners in the recovery efforts, including providing
for housing needs, in the aftermath of the Sept. 29 earthquake, tsunami
and flooding.
(UTULEI) - Governor Togiola Tulafono
has announced the availability of attorneys employed at the Office of the
Governor to assist members of the community affected by the earthquake
and tsunami in their disaster-related claims for benefits through federal
and local government offices.
In a General Memorandum dated December
11, 2009, Governor Togiola said the free legal assistance from the Post-Disaster
Legal Aid Team is only for families whose annual income does not exceed
$15,000. Cases that are determined to be "fee-generating" will
Pago Pago, AS -- FEMA and its
federal partners continue to work closely with the American Samoa Government
to assist in the recovery efforts in the aftermath of the Sept. 29, earthquake,
tsunami and flooding. Below are a few progress updates from FEMA and its
partners:
- Approved more than $15.5 million in
grants to individuals for housing and other disaster needs
- The U.S. Small Business Administration
(SBA) has approved more than $7.0 million in low-interest disaster loans.
- To date over 450 Celina tents will
have been distributed.
