Washington, D.C. — American Samoa is receiving notification of $3.8 million in federal funding from the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) and Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), a federal agency within HHS. The same amount was just announced on February 28, covering a 2023 time period, while this additional notice covers 2024, as part of the five-year project by American Samoa Department of Health (ASDOH).

This discretionary health services grant of $3,781,921 is for Department of Health efforts to strengthen health infrastructure, workforce and related areas as part of an ongoing project based on the application efforts of ASDOH and Emergency Preparedness Director Faleatafa Ben Sili.

“Thank you once again to Emergency Preparedness Director Faleatafa Ben Sili for the efforts to secure this grant,” said Congresswoman Uifa’atali Amata. “I so appreciate the local work that goes into applying and qualifying for all grants, as Congress first approves the appropriations but then grants are approved either by formula or competitive application. Thank you to HHS and CDC for approving this series of discretionary grants. Congratulations to Governor Lemanu Mauga, Lt. Governor La’apui Talauega Ale, and Director Motusa Nua as they direct these allocations.”

HHS is led by Secretary Xavier Becarra, and CDC is led by Director Dr. Mandy Cohen. The grant, through CDC’s Office of Surveillance, Epidemiology, and Laboratory Services, is one year’s allocation of a five-year project through fiscal year 2027.