DRC CONTINUES TO SUPPORT DISASTER SURVIVORS WHO REGISTERED

Although registration at the Disaster Recovery Center (DRC) for those impacted by Tropical Storm Gita, ended at the close of business on May 1st, the DRC is still open to assist disaster survivors until May 19th.

Located inside the DYWA Pago Pago Youth Center, the DRC is open from 8a.m. to 4p.m. daily, except Sundays.

According to the US Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), anyone who registered with FEMA and needs to submit documents or otherwise has questions about the status of federal assistance can go to the DRC before May 19.

In cases where survivors received denial letters, they have the opportunity to appeal, with additional information.

These are other services offered at the DRC for those with valid FEMA registration numbers:

• Disaster housing specialists can answer questions about rental assistance, home repair and loss of personal property;

• US Small Business Administration representatives can help with one-on-one assistance to complete disaster loan applications for homeowners, renters, and private nonprofits as well as businesses. SBA disaster loans carry interest rates as low as 1.813% for individuals and loan terms up to 30 years;

• Disaster Legal Services may offer free help with legal issues regarding insurance claims, contracts, new wills, land ownership and occupancy, problems with contracts and contractors, or other legal matters;

• Department of Health and Social Services may help with health issues;

• Social Security may help with filing for social security benefits or answer questions about current benefits;

• Department of Commerce can help with land use issues;

• Department of Public Works can help with issues on home repair;

• American Samoa Power Authority can help with issues regarding electrical service to homes or businesses;

• Crisis Counselors can help with coping issues that may have arose because of the disaster such as anger, nightmares, depression, headaches, nausea or increased use of alcohol or drugs; and

• Mitigation specialists have publications to help with rebuilding or repairing to make structures stronger.

These services are also available by calling (684) 699-2018 Monday through Saturday, 8 a.m. until 4 p.m.

Extra support, such as magnifying glasses, sign language interpreters, and information in Braille, is available at the DRC.

“No matter what you need, DRC specialists can help you or refer you to someone who can,” said FEMA in a statement yesterday.

MITIGATION EXPERTS AT STEM SUMMIT

FEMA says its mitigation experts along with staff from the ASG Hazard Mitigation Office will have a booth Saturday, May 5th, at the 2nd annual American Samoa Science, Technology, Engineering, Mathematics (STEM) Summit, which opens at 8a.m. at the Gov. Rex Lee Auditorium.

Mitigation experts will be on-hand to discuss and demonstrate ways to build structures that can better withstand wind and other natural hazards.

Also during tonight’s First Friday at the Fagatogo Market Place, starting at 6p.m., FEMA experts and Hazard Mitigation Office staff will join ASG Department of Commerce Planning Division in demonstrating how to strengthen a structure against damage should another event occur.

According to FEMA, the experts will discuss and demonstrate good building practices. They will also have printed material that illustrate how to build stronger structures.

This year’s STEM summit is under the theme: “Preparing our Learners & Empowering our Future Leaders,” according to the event host, American Samoa STEM Partners - a public/private partnership working towards ensuring all children are STEM Literate, STEM College, and STEM Workforce Ready.

Other activities at the summit, which is free to the public, include career exhibits, workshops on education and workforce, and STEM challenges.

For more info, contact chairperson Edna Noga at <enoga@aspower.com>

CONGRESSWOMAN AMATA ON NATIONAL DAY OF PRAYER

National Day of Prayer in the U.S., according to Congresswoman Aumua Amata, is a day that “we all have much to be thankful for as part of this great country.”

“In American Samoa, we recently observed our patriotic Flag Day celebrations, and that wonderful week always includes a community church service that helps us remember to be grateful to God for our lives, families and country,” Amata said in a brief statement yesterday.

“The concept of a National Day of Prayer has a long tradition in the United States, and I pray that this year it could be a special day of unity and shared love of country that could bless our entire nation over the years to come,” she added.

The US Congress in 1988 created federal law, which called on the US President to issue each year a proclamation designating the first Thursday in May as a National Day of Prayer, “on which the people of the United States may turn to God in prayer and meditation at churches, in groups, and as individuals,” according to White House information.

President Donald Trump proclaimed May 3rd, the National Day of Prayer, saying, “Prayer sustains us and brings us comfort, hope, peace, and strength.  Therefore, we must cherish our spiritual foundation and uphold our legacy of faith.” (See whitehouse.gov for details of the President’s proclamation)