Pago Pago, AMERICAN SAMOA — The U.S Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) has obligated the first-round of disaster funding to American Samoa of little more than $5,000 under Public Assistance following the high surf, high winds, and flooding during the period of July 12-15 last year.

U.S President Joe Biden approved in September last year, American Samoa’s federal request for a Presidential Disaster Declaration, which qualifies the territory for Public Assistance and Hazard Mitigation funds.

FEMA public online records show that as of Dec. 31, 2022, total Public Assistance Grant dollars obligated so far stand at $5,671.92 but no other information is available online about which ASG entity has been awarded this amount and what’s to be funded with this money.

Information received by Samoa News yesterday shows this funding obligation is the “state management costs” for those administrating the FEMA grants. And for American Samoa, it is ASG’s Office of Disaster Assistance and Petroleum Management (ODAPM)m which administers all Public Assistance funds.

FEMA Region IX Recovery Division had informed ODAPM on Dec. 30, 2022 of the obligated approved funds.

ASG officials say more Public Assistance funding awards are expected for the July disaster, with the appropriate notification from FEMA.

As previously reported by Samoa News, a joint federal and local government Preliminary Damage Assessments (PDA) report released last November by FEMA shows that for Public Assistance, total cost estimate stands at just over $1.93 million for “Other; damage to parks and recreation” category.

A joint ASG and federal government PDA report — reviewed by Samoa News — was presented to the governor in September last year, and lists seven ASG departments, agencies and authorities seeking just over $1.93 million for Public Assistance funding.

Port Administration Department has the highest request at $1.60 million, with $1.25 million under category “parks, recreation or others”. The Public Works Department has the next highest requested amount at $102,225 for “debris” removal only.

According to FEMA, the Public Assistance program provides federal disaster grant assistance for debris removal, emergency protective measures, and the repair or replacement of disaster-damaged property to state and local governments and certain non-profits.