(UTULEI: Saturday, January 16, 2010) - President Barack Obama today informed Governor Togiola Tulafono that he has amended his disaster declaration of September 29, 2009 and authorizes additional disaster assistance to American Samoa.

 

In a letter dated January 15, 2010, President Obama wrote to Governor Togiola:

 

“I have determined that the damage in certain areas of the Territory of American Samoa resulting from an earthquake, tsunami and flooding during the period of September 29 to October 6, 2009, is of sufficient severity and magnitude that special cost-sharing arrangements are warranted regarding Federal funds provided under he Robert T. Stafford Disaster Relief and Emergency Assistance Act an the Insular Areas Act.

 

Therefore, I amend my declaration on September 29, 2009, to authorize Federal funds for all categories of Public Assistance, Hazard Mitigation, and the Other Needs Assistance portion of the Individual Assistance Program at 90 percent of total eligible costs, and further authorize Public Assistance (Categories A and B), including direct Federal assistance, at 100 percent of total eligible costs for 30 consecutive days.”

 

Governor Togiola, now in Honolulu on government business after a fishery industry meeting in Thailand, expressed his sincere gratitude to President Obama for the amendment of the emergency declaration.”

 

“On behalf of the people and government of American Samoa, I wish to say thank you to President Obama for the increase in the level of federal funding for Public Assistance,” said Governor Togiola. “I am very grateful for the federal support already offered to American Samoa. Thank you for your support. We have received much–appreciated aid in federal assistance to help rebuild the lives and homes of our people. This additional assistance benefits our island community and it will help in our recovery.”

 

The additional disaster assistance available to the Territory increases the level of federal funding for Public Assistance, including direct federal assistance, Hazard Mitigation, and the Other Needs Assistance portion of the Individual Assistance Program.

 

The President’s major disaster declaration issued for the Territory of American Samoa on September 29, 2009, as a result of an earthquake, tsunami, and flooding, authorized

Individual Assistance, assistance for debris removal and emergency protective measures, including direct federal assistance, under the Public Assistance program; and Hazard Mitigation at 75 percent federal funding. Subsequent to the declaration, additional categories of Public Assistance were also authorized at 75 percent Federal funding.

 

Under the President's order on Saturday, the federal share for Public Assistance, Hazard Mitigation, and the Other Needs Assistance portion of the Individual Assistance Program, has been increased to 90 percent, and the federal share for debris removal and emergency protective measures, including direct Federal assistance, under the Public Assistance program has been increased to 100 percent of the total eligible costs for 30 consecutive days.