FEMA distributes 36,000 bottles of water in Saipan, more sites set

The Federal Emergency Management Agency, aided by local government agencies, began distributing bottled water at the airport field last Thursday morning, April 23, serving thousands of households as recovery continues following recent storm damage.

Kennedy Benjamin, deputy coordinator for Individual Assistance under Homeland Security Emergency Management, said the operation moved quickly after crews saw long lines forming even before the scheduled start.

“Sure, so today we have a point of distribution. We are giving out cases of water, which were provided by our partners, the Federal Emergency Management Agency, better known as FEMA,” Benjamin said.

A total of 40 pallets were delivered for Thursday’s distribution.

“So we had a total of 40 pallets that were delivered yesterday to be distributed today. Each pallet had about 75 cases, and there were 12 cartons per case, so that totaled about 3,000 cases, total of 36,000 individual cases, pieces,” he said.

Organizers initially planned to begin at 9am, but opened earlier after seeing the number of vehicles lining up.

“We were looking at the lines at 8 o’clock. We said, we have a bunch of people. We might as well just open up the lines,” Benjamin said.

Each vehicle received one case of water, allowing the team to estimate how many households were served.

“So we are giving out one case per household, per vehicle. So you do the math. If we’re giving out approximately one case per household, that’s about close to a little less than 3,000 cars or households that we’ve served so far,” he said.

Additional distribution events are already scheduled for residents who were unable to secure water on Thursday.

“So we just want to, again, let the community know that if you didn’t get your water today, we are scheduled to have another one tomorrow, Friday, at the Koblerville Youth Center, starting at 9 o’clock. And then on Saturday, at the Garapan Fishing Base, also at 9 o’clock,” Benjamin said.

He also offered a message of encouragement to the community.

“Well, again, just continue to pray and be hopeful. This is not our first typhoon. We will rebuild. Let’s continue to work together, support each other, and just pray for each other,” he said.