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Congressman Faleomavaega announced today that he will never forget the lives lost and the families impacted on September 29 one year ago today when American Samoa was hit by the most powerful earthquake of 2009 which struck below the ocean about 140 miles southwest of Pago Pago, American Samoa, and 125 miles south of Samoa.
“The earthquake, which registered 8.3 on the Richter scale, set off a massive tsunami that crashed into American Samoa, Samoa and Tonga, sweeping cars and people out to sea as survivors fled to high ground,” Faleomavaega said. “In American Samoa, many children running for home unknowingly ran in the direction of the tsunami.”
“Entire villages in American Samoa and the neighboring islands of Samoa and Tonga were devastated by the disaster. In response, the United States answered with a generous and heartfelt outpouring of aid.”
“As we pause to remember the lives lost and the families impacted, I want to once more publicly thank President Obama for his leadership during this tragedy. The Obama Administration continues to stand with us and, on behalf of all Samoans, I thank the Administration for its swift response.”
“I also want to thank U.S. Secretary of State Hillary Clinton for her unwavering support. At my request and the request of Congresswoman Laura Richardson, Secretary Clinton authorized the immediate airlift of 92,000 pounds of emergency supplies collected by Samoan and non-Samoan communities in the Los Angeles, California area as well as by our Samoan and Tongan communities in Salt Lake City and St. George, Utah under the direction of Reverend Elder Liki Tiatia, Reverend Dr. John Mailo, Reverend Dr. Misipouena Tagaloa, High Chief Loa Pele Faletogo, and HC Papali’i Misiona Patane.”
“In American Samoa, a team of more than 300 responders from the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), the American Red Cross, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) and other Federal agencies coordinated relief and recovery operations.”
“The United States Navy, the United States Coast Guard, the Hawaii Air National Guard and the U.S. Army Reserve American Samoa provided critical transport of the life-saving and life-sustaining supplies and equipment to meet the immediate needs of the survivors, including more than 26,000 meals, 14,000 liters of water, 1,800 blankets, 800 tents, more than 800 cots, and 9 pallets of medical supplies and medical equipment in support of American Samoa’s mass care operations.”
“The U.S. Department of Labor released over $24 million in National Emergency Grant (NEG) funds to assist clean-up and recovery efforts in American Samoa, although an average disaster NEG is about $5 million.”
“FEMA has projected, or set aside, over $155 million for recovery efforts. So far, about $65 million has been obligated and about $45 million has been disbursed pending action from the applicant to define scopes of work or provide information necessary to clear environmental compliance.”
“Of this $155 million set-aside, FEMA has projected that about $77 million will be used for Infrastructure. Of this $77 million, $15 million has been obligated, but only $7 million has been disbursed. According to FEMA, the program is based on reimbursement so FEMA cannot disburse until ASG requests a manual drawdown based on receipts submitted.”
“Regarding housing, FEMA initiated a pilot program and planned two phases of construction. Phase 1 required the construction of 8 homes and 10 additional site preparations. All of this work is completed and the 8 homes are occupied. Costs for Phase 1 are still being finalized.”
“A contract award for Phase 2 is expected to occur in early October with ground-breaking expected to take place in mid-to-late October. A local business is expected to be issued the contract award for Phase 2. 33 homes are expected to be constructed in Phase 2. Overall, the entire pilot program currently stands at 41 homes.”
“The U.S. Congress also set aside an additional $1.2 million to provide direct assistance to ASG for the disaster through the U.S. Department of the Interior.”
“In addition to more than $200 million federal dollars described above, Samoa students at the Wentworth Military Academy collected $32,000. They donated $15,000 in cash to the American Samoa Voluntary Organizations Active in Disaster (ASVOAD) and the remaining amount was given to their families in American Samoa, and also to provide airfare for the students to visit their families during the time of the disaster. I am so proud of these students who showed true leadership and courage in the face of adversity.
“Some of my dearest friends and acquaintances also came to our aid. Without being asked, they contacted my office immediately after the tragedy wanting to make donations and help in whatever way they could.”
“For historical purposes, I am listing their names below because no act of kindness should ever pass by without sincere acknowledgment to the persons, governments and organizations who gave so generously. They are:
Chairman Li Ka Shing (Li Ka Shing Foundation) $100,000
(Presented to PM Tuilaepa on behalf of the people of American Samoa)
Chairman Li Ka Shing (Li Ka Shing Foundation) $150,000
(Presented to Am. Samoa Disaster Relief and Recovery Program)
Chairman Seung-Youn Kim (Hanwha Group) $100,000
(presented to American Samoa Red Cross:
$62,985 for caskets of deceased in Am. Samoa;
$37,015 remainder to Am. Samoa Red Cross)
President Nursultan Nazarbayev, Republic of Kazakhstan $50,000
(Presented to Am. Samoa Disaster Relief and Recovery)
Government of Thailand $15,000
(Presented to Am. Samoa Disaster Relief and Recovery Program)
Government of Taiwan $10,000
(Presented to Am. Samoa Red Cross)
Mr. Raymond Calamaro, Esq. (D.C. Attorney) $1,000
(Presented to Am. Samoa Red Cross)
Mr. Steven Kirchof (Florida Businessman) $1,000
(Presented to Am. Samoa Red Cross)
“Also, I again want to make special mention of Secretary of State Hillary Clinton who really fought to make an airlift possible.”
DC10 Charter flight
(authorized by U.S. Secretary of State Hillary Clinton $300,000
for shipment of 92,000 pounds of aid to Apia, Samoa
TOTAL $727,000
“While American Samoa is now on the road to recovery, there is still much work to be done. But with the faith and support and prayers of our people and with the additional funds ASG is receiving from the federal government as a result of the American Reinvestment and Recovery Act (ARRA), we have every opportunity to forge ahead and become stronger than before,” Faleomavaega concluded. |
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