VOAD, HSEM, FEMA Airport Field relief supply dsitributions

The CNMI Office of Homeland Security and Emergency Management (HSEM) distributed a total of 1,440 cases of Meals Ready to Eat (MRE) and 1,500 cases of drinking water on May 4.

HSEM in partnership with FEMA, executed a major relief supply distribution at the CPA Airport Field. The operation, which ran from 9:00 AM to 12:45 PM, provided crucial food and water to residents recovering from the recent typhoon, supplemented by targeted house-to-house deliveries in the nearby Dandan and Kobler areas.

The Voluntary Organizations Active in Disaster is a key partner in the ongoing distribution. Dozens of volunteers from various non profits and communities support the effort.

​The distribution is part of a larger, ongoing island-wide initiative to ensure all communities receive necessary aid. According to the Logistics Chief of Saipan Operation, Jesus Attao, the strategy rotates Point of Distribution (PODs) across the island, with previous sites including Kagman, the Koblerville Youth Center, Garapan Fishing Base, Chalan Kanoa Church, and Tanapag Beach.

​To meet the high community demand, Monday's staging at the airport field was heavily stocked. The site distributed a standard ratio of one case of MRE and one case of water per household, while also accommodating drivers picking up for multiple families or neighbors.

​In an interview with Attao, he acknowledged that not all residents have access to vehicles or the physical ability to transport heavy supplies, wherein they mobilized a house-to-house outreach team.

​"We understand that not everyone has vehicles, all of our house-to-house operations revolve around where our POD is. So today, we're handling the airport area, out to Dandan, and a little bit into Kobler,” explained Attao.

​Volunteers specifically navigated assigned streets to ensure vulnerable families received aid directly at their doorsteps. One of the volunteers, Madge Gai noted that they successfully delivered a case of MREs, a case of water, and a box of meals to 15 different households in their designated zone.

"It is very rewarding after giving families that had suffered for so long... they are struggling with just basic needs, water, and food. I'm glad to be part of it," said Gai.

Walk-ups were strongly discouraged due to the heavy weight of the supplies, with officials reassuring pedestrians that delivery teams would reach their neighborhoods.

​The event’s success relied heavily on the coordination of roughly 20 to 30 volunteers from various community organizations, including the CNMI Women's Association and United for Saipan.

​Among the volunteers was the Secretary of the Department of Labor (DOL), Leila Staffler, who participated in a personal capacity to help load cars and organize stations. While assisting with the distribution, Staffler also provided an encouraging update regarding ongoing recovery efforts at the agency level.

​The DOL is currently working with federal partners to activate the Disaster Unemployment Assistance (DUA) program.

"My staff are actually activated and are working to get the [DUA] program going, official press releases and information will be released very soon to help displaced workers during this critical time,” added by Staffler.

Residents in need of supplies are encouraged to monitor official channels for upcoming distribution dates and locations. All future schedules will be broadcasted to the media through the Office of the Governor and the Joint Information Center (JIC) under Homeland Security.