The American Red Cross is urging survivors of Typhoon Sinlaku to apply for financial assistance today, June 1, which officials say is the final day for households with destroyed or major damage to begin the process.
On Friday, Red Cross executive liaison Nick Junquera detailed the scale of ongoing relief work across Saipan, Tinian, and Rota and emphasized that the organization’s mission in the Marianas is far from over.
Junquera said the Red Cross has provided 19,582 overnight shelter stays to 1,179 residents, served 220,902 meals and snacks, and distributed 59,991 relief items to 10,398 people since the start of operations.
Caseworkers have opened 2,996 cases, supporting 9,202 individuals with recovery needs ranging from financial assistance to replacing lost prescriptions and eyeglasses. Damage assessments have surpassed 4,000, with higher‑impact categories still being finalized.
More than 600 personnel have been assigned to the CNMI response. About 180 responders remain on the ground, supported by over 200 disaster volunteers, 50 virtual caseworkers, and 20 to 30 regional staff.
Junquera said there is no pull‑out date, but stressed that today is the last opportunity for eligible households to start a financial‑assistance case. Survivors may still apply even if they are missing documents, and Red Cross caseworkers will continue helping applicants complete paperwork after the deadline.
Residents can apply at the Red Cross chapter office, open 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. The organization has paused operations at the Saipan Recovery Center.
Junquera said confirming physical addresses remains one of the biggest challenges and encouraged survivors to bring full household information or obtain residential certification from their mayor’s office. “People have been incredibly gracious,” he said. “We’re working in all our hours to get the job done.”
