The Federal Emergency Management Agency will soon begin recruiting volunteer organizations from the U.S. mainland to help repair homes damaged by Typhoon Mawar, according to a news release from Adelup.
Although the program, initiated at the request of Gov. Lou Leon Guerrero, has been approved, it is not yet operational.
Volunteers are expected to be deployed by Aug. 14, with the goal of completing as many repairs as possible by Nov. 25.
More information about eligibility and application requirements is forthcoming.
“GUAM STRONG is short for Guam Urgent Assistance Mobilized to Support Typhoon Repairs on Guam and will be a vital next step to supporting those who were unable to avail of the RISEUP metal roofing repair program, which concluded today,” the governor said in a news release. “Our goal is to restore typhoon-affected dwellings to a habitable condition in a cost-effective manner, without duplicating other forms of disaster assistance.”
The program will provide residents with basic carpentry, electrical and plumbing repairs in addition to roofing.
Skilled volunteers from nonprofit groups, such as members of National Voluntary Organizations Active in Disaster, will arrive on Guam and perform repair work on eligible homes.
FEMA will be responsible for sourcing the tools and necessary building materials for repairs such as utility restoration, rehabilitating functional and accessible living spaces, and necessary debris clearance.
The total projected cost of the initiative is $2 million, with the federal government covering 75% of all associated costs and Guam paying 25%, or $500,000. The program will use donated materials where possible to offset costs.