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FEMA's first Disaster Recovery Center to open this weekend


Sgt. Joseph Mafnas of the 1224th Engineer Support Company, Guam National Guard, helps a High Mobility Engineer Excavator (HMEE) operator remove debris after Typhoon Mawar in Guam June 2, 2023. Photo by Mark Scottr/GUNG

By Pacific Island Times News Staff



Guam Community College will serve as the first Federal Emergency Management Agency's Disaster Recovery Center that will open tomorrow in response to typhoon recovery efforts.


To date, nearly 6,800 Guam residents have applied for disaster assistance.


FEMA Disaster Recovery Centers (DRCs) are accessible facilities and mobile offices you can visit to learn more about FEMA and other disaster assistance programs.


GCC Building E will host the soft opening of the Disaster Recovery Center from 12 p.m. to 6 p.m. tomorrow, June 3, 2023. The DRC will be open to assist island residents impacted by Typhoon Mawar with disaster relief programs. After Saturday, regular hours of operations will be seven days a week from 7 am –7 pm. Please be advised that the Guam Police Department will be conducting crowd control and traffic direction within the GCC parking lot. Additional centers will be announced soon to support the needs of the community.


A DRC may be able to help you:

  • Learn more about disaster assistance programs

  • Learn the status of your FEMA application

  • Understand any letters you get from FEMA

  • Find housing and rental assistance information

  • Get answers to questions or resolve problems

  • Get referrals to agencies that may offer other assistance

  • Learn about Small Business Administration (SBA) programs

Please have the following available when you arrive:

  • Valid form of identification: Driver’s license, Guam ID or Passport

  • Proof of home address (i.e. utility bill, rental agreement, etc.)

  • Condition of your damaged home

  • Insurance information, if available

  • Social Security card or number

  • Best contact number

  • Mailing address or email address


FEMA’s Disaster Survivor Assistance (DSA) crews today started door-to-door visits in neighborhoods to help Typhoon Mawar survivors apply for federal disaster assistance and to identify needs within communities.


DSA crews primarily focus on helping underrepresented populations that may be hard to reach by traditional channels. Their mission is to assess and report critical and emerging disaster needs to FEMA leadership for decision-making purposes. Their essential duties include:

  • Provide on-site guidance to survivors about the application process, and an overview of FEMA disaster assistance.

  • Review survivors’ applications, providing basic information about application status and other eligible assistance, and collecting new information or documents for case files.

  • Engage disaster survivors and local officials in identifying immediate unmet needs for a quick resolution via FEMA and/or its partners including voluntary agencies.

  • Support community outreach and partnerships with the local, state, tribal or territorial emergency managers, disability partners, private sector, voluntary agencies and faith- and community-based organizations to foster a culture of strengthened alliances to support the delivery of inclusive, equitable services to survivors.


Disaster Assistance Available:

Guam homeowners and renters who were affected by Typhoon Mawar can register with FEMA by calling 1-800-621-3362, visiting disasterassistance.gov or downloading the application on the FEMA App. For more information about registration, processing and FEMA’s Individual Assistance Programs, visit fema.gov.


When you apply for assistance, have the following information ready:

  • A current phone number

  • Address at the time of the disaster and the address where you are now staying

  • Social Security number

  • List of damage and losses

  • Banking information if you choose direct deposit

  • If insured, the policy number or the agent and/or the company name

Survivors may be eligible to receive assistance for uninsured and underinsured damage and losses resulting from Typhoon Mawar. If you have homeowners, renters or flood insurance, you should file a claim as soon as possible. FEMA cannot duplicate benefits for losses covered by insurance. If your policy does not cover all your disaster expenses, you may be eligible for federal assistance.


Disaster assistance may include financial help with temporary lodging and home repairs, as well as other disaster-related expenses.


Visit the following links for the latest advisory information:

For more information, contact the Joint Information Center at (671) 478-0208/09/10.

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