President Joe Biden is offering relief through all possible federal aid to the US island state to combat the current wildfire crisis.
Here are the details of the news.
Biden orders release of federal aid for Hawaii
Declaring the wildfires in Hawaii a “major disaster,” US President Joe Biden on Thursday announced the release of federal aid to support the state and the recovery of areas affected by the wildfires as the devastating disaster has swallowed up more lives and properties since its emergence.
A White House statement read: “Today, President Joseph R. Biden, Jr. declared that a major disaster exists in the State of Hawaii and ordered federal assistance to supplement efforts state and local recovery plans in wildfire-affected areas beginning Aug. 8, 2023, and continuing.
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Biden’s federal grants came two days after wildfires quickly destroyed large parts of Maui County, including the former capital and historic town of Lahaina in the island state.
According to the White House report, federal aid includes grants for temporary housing and home repairs, low-cost loans to cover uninsured property losses and other support programs to help people recover. recover from the effects of forest fires.
During his remarks in Utah on Thursday, President Biden said he had spoken with Hawaii Governor Josh Green and promised to provide all federal assistance the state needed to recover from the fires.
Biden said, “We are working as quickly as possible to fight these fires and evacuate residents and tourists. In the meantime, our prayers are with the people of Hawaii, but not just our prayers; all the assets we have will be at their disposal.
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“Anyone who has lost a loved one or whose home has been damaged or destroyed will receive help immediately,” the president added, assuring that federal aid “will get to the hands of people who desperately need help.” .
Biden also said Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) Administrator Deanne Criswell would be visiting Maui on Friday, and he “directed her to streamline any processes, requests for assistance, and registered survivors to have urgent federal assistance is needed.”
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In addition to FEMA, the President has deployed the National Guard, Navy and Army for emergency assistance to Hawaii.
The White House statement said, “President Biden has confirmed that he has signed a major disaster declaration for Hawaii that will provide additional federal resources and support in addition to actions already underway by FEMA, the National Guard , the U.S. Coast Guard, and other federal agencies to support emergency response.
The west coast of Maui Island in Hawaii began experiencing a blaze on Tuesday brought on by strong winds from a nearby hurricane that quickly spread through the beach town of Lahaina.
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As state emergency management officials reported, the massive blaze scorched about 2,000 acres and there were still six active fires on Maui and the island of Hawaii as of Thursday morning.
The death toll from the deadliest wildfires rose to 93 on Saturday as search teams continued to determine how the disaster spread so quickly through the historic city without warning.
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In a similar crisis that occurred a year after Hawaii became the 50th U.S. state, Governor Josh Green said, “In 1960 we had 61 dead when a big wave rolled through Big Island. This time it is very likely that our death totals will greatly exceed that.
Green compared Lahaina to a bomb-hit area, saying, “No doubt everyone would describe this as a bomb-hit Lahaina. It looks like utter devastation, buildings that we have all enjoyed and celebrated together for decades, for generations, are completely destroyed. »
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The White House said: “The President expressed his sincere condolences for the lives lost and the extensive destruction of land and property.
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