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 a FEMA Case Worker to help with them through the process as they work towards actual construction of the new home.

 

Applicants who had major damages but not total loss to their home, some have been recipients of the volunteer services of the Mennonite Disaster Service and the Southern Baptist Convention Disaster Relief through partnership with FEMA and the American Samoa Voluntary Organizations Active in Disaster (ASVOAD). These disaster relief groups are from all over the nation and volunteer their services to help our families repair their damaged homes – free of charge. The family purchases the materials but these groups provide the labor of love thru their work and ministry.

 

There are also NEG participants who are working as apprentices with these groups in learning a new trade and skills.

The Disaster Recovery Center that operated out of the Convention Center officially closed on January 16, 2010. The Help Line that was transferred to the Joint Field Office closed on Friday, January 29^th.

 

The “Rebuilding Our Community with Confidence” (ROCC) program remains active with the partnerships of ASG, ASVOAD, FEMA and National VOAD.

 

Approximately 110 individual donors and organizations from all over the world have contributed in-kind donations and financial contributions of approximately $488,270.22 to the AS Disaster Relief and Recovery Program.

 

The fund is used solely to help families with assistance not covered by other federal or local assistance from FEMA or ASVOAD.

 

 

The NEG is a U.S. Department of Labor Disaster Grant Program to assist with debris clean up, recovery, restoration and humanitarian efforts as a result of the disaster.

There are now 45 certified worksites with 15 worksites awaiting certification. ASG has 31 worksites with 29 projects in worksites at villages, non-profit and non-governmental organizations. 1,399 temporary disaster workers have been hired. Worksite requests and temporary employment applications are no longer being accepted for consideration; the deadline was Friday, January 29^th.

 

All current worksites must be in compliance with the worksite agreements; all temporary workers must comply with the duties and responsibilities assigned to them.

 

There is a pending formal approval for the extension of the program for an additional 3 months; if approved, the program will continue but the temporary NEG hire can only work for the original 6 months or 1,040 hours they were hired for.

 

Through a grant from the Department of Labor, Disaster Unemployment Assistance provides financial assistance to individuals whose employment or self-employment was lost or interrupted as a direct result of a major disaster.

 

The program only allows immigration status: CA - Permanent Residents, P7 Humanitarian, US Nationals and US Citizens.

 

As a result only 243 applicants qualify for the benefits, so far. Estimated benefits of $40,400 for approved applicants have begun to be dispersed.

 

Efforts are being made by the Assistant Attorney General for the Department of Human Resources to work with the Grantor for a resolution with an additional interpretative decision on AS immigration laws. 

 

 

Final notification has been issued to owners of vehicles and vessels damaged by the tsunami and are on government land and the Right of Way. These hazards are causing a health and safety threat to the general public.

 

Last day to remove these vehicles and vessels is today. If not removed, the government will begin removal of these threats to the public.

 

 

On January 15, 2010 President Barack Obama made additional disaster assistance available to the Territory of American Samoa.

 

The President’s initial disaster declaration issued for the territory on 9/29 authorized 75 percent federal funding for Individual Assistance, Debris removal and Emergency Protective Measures, and Direct Federal Assistance under the Public Assistance program.

 

Under the President's new order, the federal share has been increased to 90 percent for Public Assistance, Hazard Mitigation, and the Other Needs Assistance portion of the Individual Assistance Program.

 

The federal share for debris removal and emergency protective measures, including direct Federal assistance, under the Public Assistance program has also been increased to 100 percent of the total eligible costs for 30 consecutive days.

 

Governor Togiola’s weekly Saturday morning program –Mo Lou Silafia– is aired on KSBS-FM 92.1.