FEMA
![FEMA’s William “Billy” Penn, who lives in Texas is the author of this Op-Ed. He is seen in this photo drinking a cold ‘niu’. He has worked on countless disasters as an external affairs specialist throughout the United States and Alaska. This was his first trip to American Samoa for Tropical Storm Gita. [photo: FEMA]](https://samoanews.com/sites/default/files/styles/teaser/public/field/image/Billy%20Penn%20OpEd.jpg?itok=MXBi2tw1 "FEMA’s William “Billy” Penn, who lives in Texas is the author of this Op-Ed. He is seen in this photo drinking a cold ‘niu’. He has worked on countless disasters as an external affairs specialist throughout the United States and Alaska. This was his first trip to American Samoa for Tropical Storm Gita. [photo: FEMA]")
MANU’A ISLANDS, American Samoa — What a pleasant surprise for a country boy from Texas to step into this island paradise. It hurt to see so many homes damaged and property destroyed but the people we saw seemed happy. Where were the ones who had lost so much?
FEMA came to help. With excellent...
![US Small Business Administration (SBA) public information officer, Yolanda Stokes speaking at last Thursday’s meeting of the Lions Club of Pago Pago on the type of low interest disaster loan programs available to help those impacted by Tropical Storm Gita. Stokes was presented a special Lions Club award for her “remarkable support and assistance with SBA” following Gita. [photo: Leua Aiono Frost]](https://samoanews.com/sites/default/files/styles/teaser/public/field/image/Stokes%20n%20Lions%20614.jpg?itok=YEZ6w_pc "US Small Business Administration (SBA) public information officer, Yolanda Stokes speaking at last Thursday’s meeting of the Lions Club of Pago Pago on the type of low interest disaster loan programs available to help those impacted by Tropical Storm Gita. Stokes was presented a special Lions Club award for her “remarkable support and assistance with SBA” following Gita. [photo: Leua Aiono Frost]")
Pago Pago, AMERICAN SAMOA — The US Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) has approved more than $14 million under the Individual Assistance program while the US Small Business Administration has approved just over $2 million in low-interest disaster loans for those who were affected by...
![[photo: Leua Aiono Frost]](https://samoanews.com/sites/default/files/styles/teaser/public/field/image/kids%20saved.jpg?itok=_2pdUPUD "[photo: Leua Aiono Frost]")
Pago Pago, AMERICAN SAMOA — US Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) public affairs officer, Victor Inge (right) last Thursday evening accepting from Lions Club of Pago Pago, a special award for his role in saving three children from drowning at the Tradewinds Hotel swimming pool early this...
![This recent FEMA photo shows Tropical Storm Gita disaster survivors who visited the recovery center set up in the ASG office in Ofu, where they registered for federal disaster assistance, and got help with low-interest loan applications through the US Small Business Administration. [photo: FEMA]](https://samoanews.com/sites/default/files/styles/teaser/public/field/image/Ofu%20DRC.jpg?itok=RTtoTVMr "This recent FEMA photo shows Tropical Storm Gita disaster survivors who visited the recovery center set up in the ASG office in Ofu, where they registered for federal disaster assistance, and got help with low-interest loan applications through the US Small Business Administration. [photo: FEMA]")
Pago Pago, AMERICAN SAMOA – When local culture clashed with how FEMA usually delivers federal help to solve the dilemma, leadership met with American Samoa Government officials to develop a plan to help survivors of Tropical Storm Gita, yet satisfy federal guidelines.
Without street signs or...
![This recent photo shows ASG pre registration for residents impacted by Tropical Storm Gita, at the small fales outside of the DYWA Pago Pago Youth Center. This is for residents who missed the pre registration date at the village level. [photo: FEMA]](https://samoanews.com/sites/default/files/styles/teaser/public/field/image/ASG%20preregistrationweb.jpg?itok=L-OLhx3- "This recent photo shows ASG pre registration for residents impacted by Tropical Storm Gita, at the small fales outside of the DYWA Pago Pago Youth Center. This is for residents who missed the pre registration date at the village level. [photo: FEMA]")
PAGO PAGO, American Samoa — When disaster strikes, people need help immediately. All levels of government have to work to eliminate barriers.
Since operations began, FEMA has disbursed more than $10 million to disaster survivors.
Clipped by Tropical Storm Gita, the people of American Samoa lost...
Pago Pago, AMERICAN SAMOA — More Tutuila residents, whose property were affected by Tropical Storm Gita are up for registration this week at the Disaster Recovery Center (DRC), located inside the DYWA Pago Pago Youth Center, and operated jointly by ASG and the US Federal Emergency Management Agency...
Pago Pago, AMERICAN SAMOA — Manu’a residents who suffered losses from Tropical Storm Gita will start registration today at three Disaster Recovery Center sites in the Manu’a islands while more villages have been added to the list for DRC registration on Tutuila, according to joint statements from...
Pago Pago, AMERICAN SAMOA — Registration continues today, Monday, through Wednesday, for residents impacted by Tropical Storm Gita at the Disaster Recovery Center (DRC) at the DYWA Pago Pago Youth Center.
In a joint statement last Friday, the US Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) and ASG...
Pago Pago, AMERICAN SAMOA — The deadline for submission of applications to the US Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) for Public Assistance is only a few days away and Lt. Gov. Lemanu Palepoi Sialega Mauga says it's important that the private sector — including businesses and non-profit...
Pago Pago, AMERICAN SAMOA — Registration continues tomorrow, Thursday, for residents impacted by Tropical Storm Gita at the Disaster Recovery Center (DRC) at the DYWA Pago Pago Youth Center.
In a joint statement yesterday afternoon, the US Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) and ASG say...