The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) today informed Governor Ralph DLG. Torres that additional federal emergency aid has been made available for the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands (CNMI) to supplement the Commonwealth and local recovery efforts in the areas affected by the Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic beginning on Jan. 20, 2020, and continuing.
Federal funding is available to the territorial and eligible local governments and certain private nonprofit organizations on a cost-sharing basis for emergency protective measures (Category B), including direct federal assistance under Public Assistance, for all areas affected by COVID-19 at a federal cost share of 75 percent.
Governor Torres’ additional requests for access to the Individual Assistance and Hazard Mitigation Grant programs are still undergoing review by FEMA and the White House.
FEMA Region IX Administrator Robert J. Fenton has been named as the Federal Coordinating Officer for federal recovery operations in the affected area. Additional designations may be made at a later date if requested by the state and warranted by the results of further assessments.
“Lt. Governor Palacios and I are sincerely grateful for the continued support and assistance from the White House and FEMA,” said Governor Torres. “We’ve been working closely with President Trump and FEMA Region IX Administrator Bob Fenton and the White House as they reviewed my request for a major disaster declaration for the CNMI.”
With additional access and support through the President’s Major Disaster Declaration, the CNMI will now have additional resources to further increase its coordinated response efforts to combat the COVID-19 pandemic.
