The US Federal Emergency Management Agency, FEMA, has so far approved more than US$14 million under its Individual Assistance programme for people in American Samoa impacted by Tropical Storm Gita in February this year.
Damage from Cyclone Gita in American Samoa. Photo: Twiiter/ Aumua Amata
FEMA's public information officer, Victor Inge says most of this assistance is for housing but US$4.5 million is for other needs, such as items damaged or destroyed by the cyclone.
So far about 7,246 people have registered for federal disaster assistance at the Disaster Recovery Center in Pago Pago.
The public affairs officer with the Small Business Administration, Yoland Stokes, says that agency has approved US$2.3 million in low interest disaster loans to homeowners, renters, private-non profits, and businesses.
She says the SBA will continue to process these loans as quickly as it can.