By Bryan Manabat
[email protected]
Variety News Staff
MORE than 4,100 people have registered for federal disaster assistance in the CNMI as recovery operations intensify following Super Typhoon Sinlaku, according to Federal Emergency Management Agency Acting Senior Public Affairs Officer Veronica Verde.
“This is a whole-community response to stabilize critical lifelines after Super Typhoon Sinlaku,” Verde said, noting that FEMA, CNMI agencies, and federal partners continue to coordinate urgent needs across the islands.
FEMA, together with CNMI partners and multiple federal agencies, is supporting locally led response efforts by helping identify immediate needs and coordinating operations to stabilize communications, power and water systems, and transportation services.
More than 700 FEMA and federal responders are now deployed from agencies including the Department of Defense, U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Environmental Protection Agency, and the U.S. Department of Agriculture. They are assisting with critical infrastructure assessments and delivering essential commodities such as fuel, food, and water.
Hundreds of nongovernmental organizations — including the American Red Cross, Samaritan’s Purse, Team Rubicon, The Salvation Army, World Central Kitchen, and Friends of Disabled Adults and Children — are also providing direct relief to communities hardest hit by the storm.
To date, FEMA has delivered more than 300,000 liters of water, nearly 5,000 meals, and 95 generators to Saipan. Rota has received nearly 3,000 liters of water and almost 2,000 meals. Tinian has received nearly 32,000 liters of water and close to 10,000 meals.
FEMA is also supporting the CNMI’s emergency tent mission, with assistance from the Department of Defense (now also known as the Department of War) and the U.S. Forest Service. So far, 22 tents have been installed on Tinian and 74 on Saipan for survivors whose homes sustained severe damage. No emergency tent need has been identified on Rota.
To reach survivors where they live, FEMA responders are sharing registration information in neighborhoods, churches, and markets. The agency is also working with local NGOs and advocacy groups to ensure individuals with disabilities, older adults, and other vulnerable populations can access assistance.
Survivors may register through the CNMI toll-free number at 671-735-1050, FEMA’s helpline at 800-621-3362, the FEMA app, or online at DisasterAssistance.gov.
As of this week, 4,125 individuals have registered for disaster assistance. The deadline to apply is June 22, 2026. FEMA urges residents with damage to their homes or personal property not to delay. Business owners may also qualify for support through the U.S. Small Business Administration.
To be eligible for FEMA assistance, at least one member of the household must be a U.S. citizen, noncitizen national, or qualified alien.
Bryan Manabat was a liberal arts student of Northern Marianas College where he also studied criminal justice. He is the recipient of the NMI Humanities Award as an Outstanding Teacher (Non-Classroom) in 2013, and has worked for the CNMI Motheread/Fatheread Literacy Program as lead facilitator.
