US approves bigger share for CNMI's Yutu recovery

9:11 pm on 28 February 2019

The US federal government has increased its contribution to the repair bill in the Northern Marianas following last year's devastating Super Typhoon Yutu.

People lining up for food stamps in the CNMI after Typhoon Yutu

Photo: RNZ Pacific/ Mark Rabago

After approval from President Donald Trump, the government will now shoulder 90 per cent of the costs, up from 75 per cent.

The funding will go towards debris removal and emergency protective measures.

Yutu struck Saipan and Tinian in October, destroying more than 3000 homes and shuttering power in parts of the islands for months.