Deadline To Register For Disaster Assistance Is March 20
Release Date: March 8, 2004
Release Number: 1506-021
PAGO PAGO, American Samoa - Eligible residents and business owners of Tutuila and Manu’a Islands seeking help for severe damages or losses directly caused by January’s Cyclone Heta must register with the Federal Emergency Management (FEMA) by Saturday, March 20, 2004.
“Most people who are eligible to apply for help have already registered,” said FEMA’s Thomas J. Costello, federal coordinating officer. “For those rare few who have not yet done so, it’s necessary to make an appointment to register.”
Appointments to register can be scheduled by visiting the Disaster Recovery Center. Located at the Gov. Rex Lee Auditorium, the center is open Monday through Saturday, from 7:30 am to 5:00 pm.
False claims for disaster assistance will be referred to the FEMA Inspector General and/or the Federal Bureau of Investigation for investigation and prosecution.
For questions about a pending application for disaster assistance, please call the local FEMA Helpline at 633-3036.
On March 1, 2003, FEMA became part of the U.S. Department of Homeland Security. FEMA's continuing mission within the new department is to lead the effort to prepare the nation for all hazards and effectively manage federal response and recovery efforts following any national incident. FEMA also initiates proactive mitigation activities, trains first responders, and manages the National Flood Insurance Program and the U.S. Fire Administration
Last Modified: Tuesday, 09-Mar-2004 09:06:02