NMPASI ramps up outreach to protect clients after Sinlaku

The Northern Marianas Protection and Advocacy Systems Inc. is back in operation—albeit on limited hours—and has shifted much of its work into villages and shelters to ensure people with disabilities are not left behind in the aftermath of Super Typhoon Sinlaku.

NMPASI executive director Greg Borja said their office sustained minor damage, including broken windows, flooding, and ceiling loss, but repairs at the Marianas Business Plaza allowed them to reopen.

“Our office did sustain a little bit of damage during the typhoon, but the Marianas Business Plaza is very responsive so we’re up and running again,” Borja told Marianas Press in an interview at the NMPASI office last April 30.

With generator-dependent operations, NMPASI is currently accepting walk-in clients from 10am to 2pm to accommodate accessibility needs in the building.

Beyond the office, staff have been deployed across the island—checking on clients in villages and shelters, including Kagman Community Center, Garapan Elementary School, and Marianas High School, while also resuming monitoring visits to facilities serving people with disabilities.

Borja said the agency’s main focus is removing barriers to post-disaster services.

“We are working to ensure that people with disabilities don’t have any barriers when it comes to accessing needed services here after the typhoon during the recovery,” he said.

That includes helping clients complete forms, especially those required online, by bringing paper applications directly to communities and processing them later at the office.

NMPASI is also coordinating with disaster response groups to improve access to relief distributions. Borja urged clients to self-identify when seeking assistance, particularly for priority resources like generators for medical devices.

“If you have a device that helps you with breathing or mobility, they’ve been trying to prioritize individuals with disabilities with that,” he said.

The agency is also working with off-island partners to secure durable medical equipment such as wheelchairs and CPAP machines, with shipments expected to arrive soon.

While NMPASI does not directly distribute food, it collaborates with organizations that provide home deliveries to vulnerable populations and advocates for accessibility accommodations at distribution sites. Borja noted that families can request supplies on behalf of relatives who cannot leave their homes.

He added that American Red Cross and Federal Emergency Management Agency teams on island include personnel dedicated to assisting people with disabilities, including providing priority access and help with applications.

So far this fiscal year, NMPASI has assisted about 127 clients, with roughly 80 active cases. Around 20% of clients are currently staying in shelters due to Sinlaku, while most remain with family in the villages.

Borja said the biggest challenges post-typhoon are both physical and mental.

“You have those individuals who may not have access because they use a wheelchair or cannot leave their home,” he said. “The other group are those that experience mental health needs. They might have difficulty coping with what’s going on around them.”

He cited recent cases where clients were overwhelmed by storm debris or conditions at home, underscoring the importance of community support and outreach.

Borja closed with a call for patience and cooperation as recovery continues.

“There’s no need to argue or fight in line. We’re all there for a common reason. All there for a common good. You know, we can get through this together.”