The American Red Cross is mobilizing more than 200 volunteers to support recovery efforts on Rota following the devastation caused by Super Typhoon Bavi, with personnel expected to provide emergency assistance tailored to the island's most urgent needs.
During an interview conducted last July 8 at the Kensington Hotel in San Roque, American Red Cross public affairs manager Peter Teahen said an advance team was deployed to the Marianas before the Category 5 storm struck, with more personnel arriving as transportation links reopen.
Teahen said about 100 Red Cross volunteers initially deployed to the region before Bavi, with 47 moving to Saipan ahead of landfall. He added that more than 100 additional volunteers were on their way once airports became operational, bringing the overall deployment to more than 200 volunteers.
While he could not say exactly how many volunteers would immediately deploy to Rota, Teahen said the organization's priority is ensuring families receive assistance based on their specific circumstances.
"Rota can expect the service that we've always provided, even after Sinlaku," Teahen said. "We have a strong Red Cross presence, and we're simply coming in with more Red Cross staff and volunteers to help the locals."
He said Red Cross teams will conduct assessments to determine what families need most before distributing assistance.
"We are here to help meet the emergency needs of families. We do that by finding out how are they impacted, what are their needs, and help them address [those] to make sure they're secure and they're safe and protected until further assistance from government agencies come and help," he said.
Teahen said available assistance could include food, diapers, tarps, and other emergency supplies, with additional resources capable of being shipped from Hawaii and elsewhere once needs are identified.
He stressed that disaster assistance is not one-size-fits-all.
"We don't judge beforehand what they need. We hear from them and hear what they ask for and try to address those needs," he said.
Teahen also offered practical advice for Bavi survivors as they begin the recovery process, urging residents to document all damage before cleanup begins.
"The best thing we ask people to do is document. We all have cameras. A lot of times it's our phone. Document everything," he said.
He encouraged residents to protect valuable belongings, family heirlooms, and photographs while also taking care of their own health by staying hydrated, practicing good hygiene, and avoiding overexertion in the tropical heat.
Beyond physical recovery, Teahen said survivors should not overlook the emotional toll of living through one of the strongest storms to strike the Northern Marianas in decades.
"You're just experiencing a normal reaction to an abnormal event," he said, encouraging residents to talk with family members, friends or Red Cross workers rather than keeping their emotions bottled up.
He said taking time to rest, process the experience and lean on the island's strong sense of family and community are just as important as repairing damaged homes.
Teahen ended with a message of hope for Rota residents still grappling with Bavi's aftermath.
"Take a breath and think about it," he said. "For some, and for many probably, it's the worst day of their life. But reflect on it and figure out what you can do to take that horrible experience and build from it... You're not alone."
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