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American Samoa receives NOAA and Health and Human Services grants

Congresswoman Aumua Amata
(Source: Washington Office of Cong. Aumua Amata

Pago Pago, AMERICAN SAMOA — The territory is the recipient of two grants — one for a number of tsunami preparations and the other for American Samoa’s Family Professional Partnership and Children with Special Health Care Needs programs.

OVER $650,000 FOR LOCAL HOMELAND SECURITY

Washington, D.C. — Wednesday, Congresswoman Aumua Amata welcomed $657,646 in federal funds through the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) for the American Samoa Department of Homeland Security for a variety of tsunami preparations.

 “This grant will provide funding for the American Samoa Tsunami Ready Sustainment Initiative,” said Aumua Amata. “NOAA recognized the importance for American Samoa’s systems and personnel to be ready for action in the event of a tsunami.”

NOAA is an agency of the U.S. Department of Commerce. This specific NOAA grant provides resources for activities including travel, training and maintenance regarding tsunami warnings and preparedness. These include Pacific Tsunami Warning Center tsunami operations training, outreach, and education; attendance at National Tsunami Hazard Mitigation Program Coordinating Committee meetings; travel to Pacific Risk Management 'Ohana Conference; tsunami exercises; University of Hawai’i tsunami modeling; siren maintenance, and related travel for siren maintenance training.

 “I want to thank Director Samana Semo Ve’ave’a for his dedication to safety of the people of American Samoa, and for his department’s work on these activities,” stated the Congresswoman. “I would also like to thank Department of Commerce Secretary Wilbur Ross and Assistant Secretary of Commerce for Oceans and Atmosphere Timothy Gallaudet for their public service, and for directing this funding to American Samoa.”

GRANT FOR CHILDREN WITH SPECIAL HEALTH CARE NEEDS

Washington, D.C. — Wednesday, Congresswoman Aumua Amata welcomed nearly $100,000 in federal funds through the U.S. Health and Human Services (HHS) Department for American Samoa’s Family Professional Partnership and Children with Special Health Care Needs (CSHCN) programs.

“This grant will ultimately benefit children and families with special health care needs,” said Aumua Amata. “I’m pleased to welcome health care assistance to American Samoa, an area where federal resources make a tremendous difference.”

Specifically, this discretionary HHS health services grant is for $96,750 to the American Samoa Government for the Territory’s medical programs committed to these special health care needs. It is disbursed through the Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA).

“A special thank you to Ruth Te’o for her efforts on this program, and everyone else involved,” stated the Congresswoman. “I would also like to thank HHS Secretary Alex Azar once again for supporting American Samoa, along with HRSA Administrator Dr. George Sigounas.”