ARC’s Nabi assistance ends tomorrow

The American Red Cross said yesterday that its relief operations would continue only until tomorrow afternoon, urging residents with homes that sustained major damage during the onslaught of typhoon Nabi to contact its offices for assistance.

This developed as the number of destroyed or damaged homes in Red Cross’ assessment climbed slightly from 114 to 117. Last night, only 62 residents remained at Saipan’s emergency shelter, the Gilbert C. Ada gymnasium.

“Assessments on Saipan, Rota and Tinian have been completed and families with the most severe damage have received Red Cross services. The Red Cross will continue assisting families through today, Monday and Tuesday,” according to an ARC statement released to media offices yesterday.

The statement said relief operations would stop by 5pm tomorrow. As of Saturday, ARC’s NMI Chapter emergency services director Connie Nakamura said about 31 families received assistance through vouchers amounting to some $15,254.

NMI Chapter executive director John Hirsh earlier said vouchers were being given to those whose homes were totally destroyed or severely damaged to help them buy food, clothes, beddings and other emergency needs.

On Tinian, ARC reported more damaged houses. Nakamura said 15 houses sustained major damage while one was totally destroyed. She said there were no reports yet about houses that sustained minor damage. Last Friday, the ARC’s tally of totally destroyed or severely wrecked dwellings, which have become unlivable, only totaled nine.

On Saipan, the ARC said the typhoon wrecked or damaged some 101 dwellings. A total of 14 houses—two of them were completely destroyed while 12 others sustained major damage—have become unlivable, displacing scores of residents.

Nakamura said 87 other homes on Saipan sustained minor damage. No houses were destroyed on Rota.

“Families suffering minor damage received assistance, which included: a tarp, cleanup kits, comfort kits and laundry soap,” Nakamura said via email.

Hirsh said the Red Cross would continue providing food to evacuees at the Ada gym until relief operations cease. He said evacuees are expected to leave the shelter anytime today or tomorrow. The Red Cross has been providing three meals daily—breakfast, lunch and dinner—to evacuees.

The NMI Chapter urged the public to make voluntary donations to the ARC’s Disaster Relief Fund. Donations may be sent to the NMI Chapter by calling 234-3459 or to P.O. Box 37243, Washington, DC 20013. Internet users can make a secure online contribution by visiting www.redcross.org.

Meanwhile, representatives from the Federal Emergency Management Office and the U.S. Small Business Administration have reportedly arrived on Saipan, while the government’s damage assessment was still being completed. The typhoon reportedly destroyed agricultural crops.

Until yesterday, though, the Emergency Management Office disclosed no federal disaster declaration for the islands.