By Pacific Island Times News Staff
President Joe Biden today made additional disaster assistance available to Guam by authorizing an increase in the level of federal funding for relief and recovery from the destructive Typhoon Mawar that hit the island on May 24.
Under the president’s major disaster declaration issued for the territory of Guam on May 25, federal funding was made available for Public Assistance, Hazard Mitigation, and Other Needs Assistance at 75 percent of the total eligible costs. The White House has increased the federal share for disaster relief to 90 percent of the total eligible costs.
“The remaining 10 percent is to be provided by non-federal funds,” Gov. Lou Leon Guerrero said. “We thank President Biden for his latest action, which not only reduces the financial burden for the people of Guam but also secures a faster recovery.”
“The increase in cost-share to 90 percent provides for millions of dollars more in federal funding to flow into Guam and only strengthens our resiliency moving forward,” Lt. Gov. Joshua Tenorio said.
The Department of the Interior’s Office of Insular Affairs also announced $550,000 in additional aid for Guam’s post-typhoon recovery.
The new funding will be used as follow:
$420,000 to purchase a 350 kVA emergency generator and a 10,000-gallon water tank and pump system for the non-congregate shelter in Anigua.
$130,000 to procure a security system that includes cameras and alarms for warehouse and storage facilities used to store materials needed to sufficiently respond to the Covid-19 pandemic and other natural and man-made disasters. Funds will also be used to procure a forklift to manage handling and organizing supplies and materials within the shelter.
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