Governor Lolo Moliga today called on the US Department of Agriculture requesting assistance to expedite the release of $18 million in supplemental nutrition assistance included for American Samoa in the disaster bill that was signed into law on June 6.
In a letter to Agriculture Secretary Sonny Perdue, the governor asked for his personal assistance in getting the funds released as quickly as possible.
“As you know, Mr. Secretary, American Samoa incurred massive damages from Cyclone Gita last February,” wrote the governor.
“Our agriculture was virtually wiped out for the entire growing season leaving our 2000 farmers, most of whom are subsistence farmers, in desperate straits. The farmers, their 13,000 dependents and many others in American Samoa continue to feel the financial and emotional straits placed on them by this devastating event.”
The governor went on to thank President Trump, Secretary Perdue and others in the Trump Administration for their aid in American Samoa’s recovery effort.
He also thanked Congress and Congresswoman Aumua Amata Radewagen for passing this legislation and the President for signing into law a disaster relief bill which includes $18 million in supplemental nutrition funds for American Samoa.
“We are most appreciative to President Trump for declaring a state of emergency for American Samoa immediately after Gita struck, and to you and others in the President’s Administration who have helped us in our recovery efforts ever since.
“We thank the Congress as well for including supplemental nutrition funding in the disaster bill and the President for signing the ill into law.
“Unfortunately, the process took far longer than we had hoped for, a sentiment I know was shared by all states and territories that were affected by natural disasters in 2018. Nonetheless, the people of American Samoa are still struggling to recover from Gita and in many cases, to rebuild their lives and relief in the form of supplemental nutrition assistance included for our territory, is still very much needed.”
The governor offered the full cooperation of his office and administration in getting the funding to eligible recipients as quickly as possible.
“Your personal attention and assistance in getting these funds released as quickly as possible would be greatly appreciated,” wrote Lolo.
“I offer the full cooperation of my office and my administration in getting the proper mechanisms in place to make sure that these funds get into the hands of the people as quickly as possible. Please feel free to contact me directly at any time to discuss the grant release process and timing.”
