23 Mar 2004

Deadline for American Samoa cyclone claim ends

3:52 pm on 23 March 2004

The deadline for claims to the federal authority over damage to private property in American Samoa following Cyclone Heta has now closed.

More than 9,000 applications have been received.

FEMA's External Affairs officer, Ana Marcelo, outlined the funds that had been released so far.

"Directly to individuals and households and business owners, the Us government has provided 25 point 2 million dollars, so far, in housing assistance and other needs as well as nearly five million dollars in disaster assistance loans. These are low interest loans."

The finals applications that were sent over the weekend are still to be processed, so further payouts are expected.