More than $20 million in federal disaster aid has been approved for families and businesses in American Samoa affected by the Sept. 29 disaster as the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) provides a list of gifts for the holidays to keep your family safe in the event of an emergency.

FEMA and its federal partners continue to work closely with the American Samoa Government to assist in the recovery efforts in the wave of the disasters, said FEMA yesterday with the latest update on the recovery efforts.

According to the federal agency, more than $15.5 million has been granted to individuals for housing and other disaster needs while the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) has approved more than $7.0 million in low-interest disaster loans.

Other updates:

•    To date over 450 Celina tents (the new larger durable tents)  have been distributed.

•    Over 21,000 people visited the Disaster Recovery Center and 8,436 applications have been received. The DRC is now officially closed and the FEMA Disaster Service Center at the Convention Center in Utulei is open and providing applicant assistance.

•    Installation of Sprung units at the Matatula Elementary school has begun while temporary school facility installations are on-going at Masefau, Afono and Le’atele Elementary schools.

•    Power has been fully restored to the Island of Tutuila with the installation of 27 Aggreko generators at the Satala and Tafuna power plants, which will supply power until the Satala power plant can be restored.

Meanwhile, FEMA said it has assembled a list of gift ideas “for the holidays to help keep your family and friends prepared” in case of an emergency, which can happen at any moment.

These gifts can serve as a great starting point to ensure that your friends and family have an emergency communications plan, a disaster supply kit, and stay informed about emergencies in their area.

“Disasters can happen anytime, anywhere and the holiday season provides a great opportunity to ensure that you and your loved ones are taking simple steps to be prepared,” FEMA Administrator Craig Fugate said in a statement. “As families gather this holiday season, I encourage everyone to take a few minutes and discuss what you would do in case of an emergency or disaster.”

“The public is the most important member of our nation’s emergency response team and the more the public does to be prepared, the more successful this team will be,” he said.

The most important thing any individual can do is take a few minutes to discuss with their family, friends and loved ones what they will do in the case of an emergency or disaster.

“This includes developing a simple family communications plan and identifying how you would get in touch with loved ones and where you might meet if you are separated when an emergency or disaster takes place,” FEMA suggests.

Additionally, there are simple supplies that can go a long way in the case of an emergency or disaster that would make great gifts this holiday season.

A list of possible gifts to aid in emergency preparation includes:

•    Disaster kits for homes, offices and autos (first aid kits; food, water and prescription medications for 72 hours; i.e., extra clothing, blankets, and flashlights).

•    NOAA weather radios with extra batteries.

•    Enrollment in a CPR or first-aid class.

•    Smoke detectors.

•    Fire extinguishers (for kitchen, garage, car, etc.)

•    Foldable ladders for second-story escape in a fire.

•    Car kits (emergency flares, shovels, ice scrapers, flashlights and fluorescent distress flags).

•    Pet Disaster kits (food, water, leashes, dishes and carrying case or crate).

•    Battery powered lamps

“This year, consider at least one of these ideas.  You just may save the life of a friend or family member,” said FEMA.

For more information and preparedness tips, please visit www.ready.gov and www.fema.gov.