Tinian focuses on lifeline services, aid distribution a week after Sinlaku

A week after Super Typhoon Sinlaku struck, Tinian remains in recovery mode, with officials reporting steady progress in restoring basic services while grappling with ongoing power outages and displaced residents.

“We obviously were in recovery and we're right now focusing on the most essential, the lifeline support areas,” said Allen Perez, chief of staff at the Tinian Mayor’s Office.

He said potable water service has largely been restored across the island.

“I think we're about 95% water, city water, to our residents. And that's a great thing. And I think the last 5% are individual issues, you know, like problems with the hookups to their property,” Perez said.

Fuel supply constraints have also been resolved.

“Recently, we were able to resolve the fuel situation in terms of getting fuel to the island,” he said. “I have to thank Mobil for their assistance and, of course, [Commonwealth Ports Authority], and the U.S. Coast Guard for making that work.”

Power, however, remains the biggest challenge.

“Right now, of course, our biggest issue is power. And I know that [the Commonwealth Utilities Corp.] is doing the assessment,” Perez said, noting that damage appears less severe than during Typhoon Yutu.

“So, hopefully, we'll be able to get our power system up a lot faster,” he added, citing ongoing assessments of generators, control panels, distribution lines, poles and transformers.

More than 100 residents are still housed in shelters.

“So we have just over 100. I think it's 104 in the shelter,” Perez said, adding that officials are still determining how many others are staying with relatives.

With schools expected to reopen soon, officials are also identifying alternative shelter sites.

“I do want to say that World Central Kitchen has done a phenomenal job here on Tinian. And also the Red Cross, who's managing the shelter right now. They have done an exceptional job, too,” he said.

Perez urged patience as recovery efforts continue.

“I know that a lot of people are in dire situations. We're doing the best that we can,” he said. “Again, just asking for patience. You know, let us do our job.”

Relief groups on the ground continue to provide food to affected residents, with hundreds of meals distributed daily.

“Today, World Central Kitchen is here at the school, the Tinian Elementary School, serving 900 meals to people who have been affected by recent Super Typhoon Sinlaku,” said Mae Bipart-Butler, World Central Kitchen Tinian community outreach manager.

“In addition to our public distribution site today, we're also offering last-mile deliveries to members of the community who are homebound, including elderly people and people with disabilities, which will be an additional 300 meals.”

She said the organization has been operating on Tinian since immediately after the storm.

“This is World Central Kitchen's sixth day distributing meals on Tinian,” she said. “We're very fortunate to be working with the local non-profit Team Coca to be able to reach people immediately after the passage of the storm.”

Bipart-Butler said the effort goes beyond basic sustenance.

“This work is incredibly important to us at World Central Kitchen because we know that a meal is not just nourishing, but it's something that can provide comfort and dignity to communities who have been impacted by crisis,” she said.

“Anybody here on Tinian who's in need of a warm meal, please come find us here at the elementary school. We'll be here at 12 o'clock again tomorrow to provide meals.”

Meanwhile, local officials are preparing a centralized distribution hub for incoming supplies, including water shipments.

“We're preparing this place now for the distribution,” said Matthew Masga, senior policy advisor at. the Tinian Mayor’s Office who’s been assigned to the effort.

The Tinian Gymnasium, which sustained damage during the storm, has been cleared and made operational.

“As you can see, some of the roofs are thin or blown off. But I think when we first came in here, it was full of water. The floor was flooded, but we managed,” he said.

“The guys that were assigned to me managed to clean it up and make it usable for all the supplies that will be stored from either FEMA and other organizations.”

Initial deliveries have already arrived.

“The first wave of supply that I have here at the gym would be the water coming in from the Coast Guard. They just delivered it this morning,” Masga said.

Officials are working to establish a drive-thru system to streamline distribution.

“Yes, this place will have a drive-thru so that people don't have to line up. They'll line up in their cars so they can pick it up,” he said.

Distribution timelines are still being finalized as more aid arrives.

“I can only account for first wave will be 111 cases that came in from the Coast Guard,” Masga said. “And they're still coming in again from our harbor.”