US Territories’ November 25-December 1, 2019 news week in tweets
FEMA Aid to Puerto Rico and the US Virgin Islands Continues to be Hindered
NEW: FEMA data obtained by the Times reveals that more than two years after hurricanes ravaged PR and UVI, the islands’ critical facilities are languishing. 190 have been funded in PR out of 9K req. On UVI, about 218 projects had funding out of 1,500 req. https://t.co/QMDAlQYbeu
— Zolan Kanno-Youngs (@KannoYoungs) November 27, 2019
Aid from FEMA to Puerto Rico and the US Virgin Islands following Hurricanes Maria and Irma has been slow to come in. According to FEMA’s own data of the 9,000 long-term recovery projects proposed in Puerto Rico only 190 have been funded, while the US Virgin Islands has seen 218 funded out of 1,500.
Puerto Rico’s Financial Future Reaches the Supreme Court
The Curious Case of Aurelius Capital v. Puerto Rico https://t.co/qW7Ybcrg4O
— Sin Comillas (@Sincomillas) November 30, 2019
Aurelius Capital v Puerto Rico has made its way to the Supreme Court of the United States, and Puerto Rico’s financial future hinges on the decision. Aurelius Capital and other hedge funds have sued Puerto Rico over full payment of bonds they purchased from Puerto Rico before its declaration of bankruptcy.
Guam Determining How to Spend $22 Million in Excess Revenue
Sen. Joe San Agustin's committee started hearing on Friday the first of at least 12 bills that seek to divvy up some $20.48 million of these funds. https://t.co/d5ziSikWIr
— Guam PDN (@GuamPDN) November 30, 2019
Guam’s Governor, Lou Leon Guerro, cannot spend the $22 million in excess revenue without legislative approval. The territory’s congress will spend the coming weeks arguing what bills to fund before approval by the governorship. Some have argued to not spend the funds as the territory has an $80 million debt.
American Samoa Declares Public Health Emergency Over Measles Outbreak
American Samoa has declared a public health emergency as it faces a measles outbreak.https://t.co/DubBS11bPU
— NBC Asian America (@NBCAsianAmerica) November 26, 2019
American Samoa has declared a public health emergency over the outbreak of measles in Samoa. The virus has killed 24 children, including 11 infants, in Samoa. American Samoa is requiring that travelers from Samoa and Tonga prove vaccination to measles before being granted entry into the territory.
Technology Has Changed How the Northern Mariana Islands Protects Wildlife
Video: "Bradley Eichelberger – Using open source software to #map wildlife in the Northern Mariana Islands" https://t.co/nydTDaqOpk
— GeoNe.ws (@GeoNe_ws) November 29, 2019
Technology has changed how the Northern Mariana Islands Protects Wildlife. From the cloud based digitization of records, which protects from catastrophic typhoon damage, to the digital mapping of the island and its species. Technology is helping protect and preserve wildlife in the Northern Mariana Islands, which is home to many unique species due to its isolation from other island chains.
