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Northern Marianas: US approves disaster aid for typhoon-hit Rota

From RNZ Pacific · () English

Summarized and contextualized by DistantNews.

At a glance

News Named sources Approved/passed
  • U.S. President Donald Trump approved a major disaster declaration for Rota in the Northern Mariana Islands.
  • The declaration provides federal disaster assistance for residents affected by Super Typhoon Bavi in July.
  • The Category 5 storm caused widespread damage, destroying over half of Rota's buildings and critical infrastructure.

President Donald Trump has approved a major disaster declaration for Rota, an island in the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands (CNMI). This decision unlocks crucial federal disaster assistance for residents still recovering from the devastation caused by Super Typhoon Bavi nearly a month ago.

On behalf of the people of the CNMI and the island of Rota in particular, I want to express our sincere gratitude to President Donald J. Trump for issuing a Major Disaster Declaration.

— Paul ManglonaRota senator Paul Manglona expressing gratitude for the federal disaster declaration.

The declaration, covering damage sustained between July 4-12, makes Rota households eligible for the Federal Emergency Management Agency's (FEMA) Individual Assistance program. It also expands federal support for ongoing government recovery efforts. The Category 5 storm inflicted severe damage, impacting more than half of Rota's buildings, knocking out essential power and water services, and critically damaging infrastructure.

This action will make federal assistance available to help our people and communities recover and rebuild in the wake of Super Typhoon Bavi.

— Paul ManglonaRota senator Paul Manglona explaining the impact of the disaster declaration.

Rota senator Paul Manglona expressed profound gratitude for the declaration, stating, "On behalf of the people of the CNMI and the island of Rota in particular, I want to express our sincere gratitude to President Donald J. Trump for issuing a Major Disaster Declaration." He added, "This action will make federal assistance available to help our people and communities recover and rebuild in the wake of Super Typhoon Bavi."

critical federal assistance

— Julie Marie OgoRota representative Julie Marie Ogo describing the importance of the declaration.

Rota representative Julie Marie Ogo highlighted the "critical federal assistance" the declaration will provide to families, businesses, and the community. However, she noted that many residents continue to face hardship, with the island still lacking grid power. The Rota Chamber of Commerce acting president, Juan Pan Guerrero, called the assistance overdue, remarking, "It's about time that Fema relief arrive 1 month after ST Bavi." Restoring electricity is a key priority, as residents have relied on generators since the storm, incurring significant costs.

It's about time that Fema relief arrive 1 month after ST Bavi.

— Juan Pan GuerreroRota Chamber of Commerce acting president Juan Pan Guerrero commenting on the delay of federal aid.
DistantNews Editorial

Originally published by RNZ Pacific. Summarized and contextualized by our editorial team with added local perspective. Read our editorial standards.

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