By: L.N. Reklai
December 18, 2017 (Koror, Palau) Two years after Typhoon Soudelor hit Saipan causing serious damage to its infrastructure and families, affected Palauan citizens living in Saipan, were able to receive financial aid from Palau government to help them with recovery of their losses.
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According to a report from Palau Consul in CNMI, Eileen Kintol, 177 Palauans filed claims and met qualifications for receiving aid from the $75,000 appropriated in 2016 by Palau government to assist Palauan victims of Typhoon Soudelor.
Seventy-two percent (72%) or 152 of claimants qualified for Code 1 or Personal Loss claim. This refers to loss of appliances, personal belongings and household items due to effects of the typhoon such as water intrusion due to leaking roof and others. Total of $30,400 was disbursed among the 152 individuals.
Report also states that 20 Palauans qualified for and received funding for damages to their dwellings such as roofing, walls, windows, etc. The total disbursed for this group was $16,000 dollars.
Two percent or five individuals qualified for Total Damage to Structure guideline and received funds to rebuild major structural damage to their dwellings. They received combined total of $28,600.
Thirty-three Palauan citizens in CMNI did not want to file claims or had no substantial need to claim for damages.
Funding for Palauan victims of Typhoon Soudelour was appropriated in the FY 2016 Supplemental budget and was disbursed this year after the assessment report. [/restrict]