The Hurricane Gita Food Assistance Program administered by the Department of Human And Social Services is winding down but none of the residents of Manu’a have received any assistance from the program according to Manu’a Representative Vesi Fautanu Jr.
Vesi said it’s not right that people in Samoa are eating food purchased with Gita food coupons but up to now not a single person living in Manu’a has received this assistance.
The District #1 lawmaker said he saw the amount of food that was shipped on the boat to Samoa two weeks ago and it made him upset because people of Manu’a who should benefit are not getting anything.
Rep Tiaoalii Fau Sau also expressed his frustration over the runaround he’s been getting from government departments he’s been referred to.
All they say is “Be patient,onosa’i. I’ve had it with being patient,” he declared.
One of the requirements for the Gita food assistance is that applicants must have suffered damages from Gita and such damage must have been inspected and verified by Homeland Security/FEMA.
According to Tiaolii he’s visited Homeland Security several times about the verification for residents of Manu’a but up to now there’s been no team sent to Manu’a.
So people living in Manu’a who suffered damages have received any assistance from DHSS Gita Food coupons up to now.
The Manu’a lawmakers are pressing for a hearing with the Director of DHSS Muavaefaatasi John Suisala and those in charge of the program.
The total funding awarded for the American Samoa Disaster Relief Food Assistance is $18 million of which $3 million is remaining.
