More Than $223 Million Granted by FEMA in PR Six Weeks After Tropical Storm Jeanne

Release Date: October 28, 2004 Release Number: 1552-036

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San Juan, PR -- The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) has provided more assistance to more people in Puerto Rico, in less time than in previous storms, following President Bush' September 17th federal declaration, according to Peter Martinasco, FEMA's Federal Coordinating Officer for the Tropical Storm Jeanne response and recovery operations in Puerto Rico.

"Six weeks after Jeanne hit Puerto Rico, the coordinated and massive response by the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico, federal government and voluntary agencies has provided incredibly fast relief to thousands of individuals and families," said Martinasco. "More aid has reached more disaster assistance registrants in quicker time than during any previous disasters due to the new available technology."

Today, FEMA applicants have the option to register by phone or online via the Internet (www.fema.gov) and to have their property inspected and, within an average of ten days or less, receive the eligible assistance through direct deposit to their bank account.

"That, however, does not mean there aren't areas of the island that are still suffering hardships on their road to recovery. We are still working long hours, coordinating the response to the essential needs of those affected by the storm," Martinasco added.

The U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) stressed the need for all loan applicants to fill out and return the loan applications to a disaster recovery center. Without a completed application, disaster victims cannot receive a low-interest loan from SBA, and may be ineligible for other types of disaster assistance offered through FEMA and the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico. To receive help in filling out SBA loan officers will be available at each recovery center.

Residents who feel emotionally overwhelmed by the disaster and its consequences, may call Línea Paz, 1-800-981-0023, available daily, 24 hours a day.

Registrations
· By the sixth week following Tropical Storm more people had registered for federal assistance than in any declared hurricane disaster in history.
· As of 10/28/04, over 133,178 individuals have registered for assistance.

Emergency Housing Assistance:
· More than $53.5 million in emergency housing assistance provided as of 10/28/04.
· Providing more than $4.1 million per day in emergency housing assistance.
· More than 43,000 housing assistance applications approved as of 10/28/04.

Other Needs Assistance Program (ONA):
· As of today, $170,086,550 million have been approved assistance under this grant. · Applicants receive grants for necessary and serious needs caused by the disaster. This includes medical, dental, funeral, personal property, transportation, moving and storage, and other approved expenses.

Disaster Recovery Centers (DRCs):
· Six DRCs at fixed locations in various municipalities throughout the island.
· 14 mobile units providing additional DRC support to other municipalities and barrios, as needed.
· More than 8,000 registrations taken at DRCs as of 10/26/04.
· More than 22,000 people have visited DRCs as of 10/26/04.

Damage Inspections:
· More than 101,000 homes and businesses inspected as of 10/27/04.
· More than 418 inspectors assessing damage to homes.
· More than 4,900 damage inspections being completed per day.

Crisis Counseling
· 60-day program, funded by FEMA, enables the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico to respond to the immediate mental health needs with screening, diagnostic, and counseling techniques.

Voluntary Organizations
· 12 local and national agencies providing direct assistance.
· Over $3.5 million in assistance provided as of 10/27/04.

On March 1, 2003, FEMA became part of the U.S. Department of Homeland Security. FEMA's continuing mission within the new department is to lead the effort to prepare the nation for all hazards and effectively manage federal response and recovery efforts following any national incident. FEMA also initiates proactive mitigation activities, trains first responders, and manages Citizen Corps, the National Flood Insurance Program and the U.S. Fire Administration.