Nearly two months after Super Typhoon Sinlaku battered the Commonwealth, the federal official overseeing the Federal Emergency Management Agency’s response said funding remains available for recovery efforts and that budget constraints have not limited assistance to survivors.
“The Disaster Relief Fund, which is what we use, appropriated by Congress, is strong. There’s been no limitations funding-wise for whether or not we can reach a certain budget,” said federal coordinating officer Andrew Grant said during an interview last Friday at the Emergency Operations Center on Capitol Hill. “It’s driven literally by what we learn and we can help and respond to.”
Grant’s remarks came amid concerns from some residents that assistance following Sinlaku has not matched the scale of aid provided after previous super typhoons such as Soudelor and Yutu.
He said FEMA’s mission has never been to make disaster victims financially whole, but rather to help them recover and get back on their feet.
The biggest remaining challenge, according to both Grant and CNMI state coordinating officer Clement Bermudes, continues to be restoring and strengthening critical infrastructure damaged by the storm.
Bermudez pointed to widespread power outages in the immediate aftermath of Sinlaku, which crippled businesses, disrupted water and ice production, and affected gas stations and other essential services.
Grant said larger infrastructure issues remain a priority, including temporary power generation on Tinian and repairs to the heavily damaged ports on Tinian and Rota.
“People don't think about those things in their day-to-day life, but without those things, all the things we just described become much harder,” Grant said.
The two officials also highlighted lessons learned from the recovery effort that could improve responses to future disasters.
Bermudes praised the rapid integration between FEMA personnel and local emergency management teams once federal responders arrived on island.
“I couldn't ask for a better team from both sides. It was so seamless. No complaints. Everybody, as if we've rehearsed this,” he said.
Grant credited the CNMI government’s clear chain of command and priorities for helping speed recovery operations.
“The governor made clear what he wanted done,” Grant said. “We work here for the governor, and we work with the governor's team.”
Both officials suggested future improvements should continue focusing on preparedness, coordination, and infrastructure resilience.
Grant noted that investments made after previous storms, including the installation of concrete utility poles, helped reduce damage this time around. He said fewer utility poles were knocked down compared to past typhoons, demonstrating the value of long-term resilience projects.
Bermudes said the CNMI must continue modernizing its power infrastructure and carefully evaluate technologies that are both sustainable and affordable.
As recovery continues, FEMA has approved more than $20 million in individual assistance, installed about 400 temporary roofs and erected more than 1,000 temporary tents for affected residents, according to Grant.
Grant said FEMA expects to remain engaged in the Commonwealth for the long term as public assistance projects, debris removal and infrastructure repairs continue.
“We’ll be here for the long haul with CNMI,” he said.
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