Victims of Typhoon Halong are being encouraged to apply for financial assistance as soon as possible – Alaska’s News Source

Inter-Agency Disaster Recovery Report: Ex-Typhoon Halong Response in Alaska

Collaborative Framework for Sustainable Recovery (SDG 17)

A multi-stakeholder partnership has been established between state and federal authorities to manage the long-term recovery efforts for communities impacted by ex-Typhoon Halong. This initiative exemplifies SDG 17: Partnerships for the Goals, by leveraging the combined resources of governmental and non-governmental organizations to deliver effective aid.

• State of Alaska: Division of Homeland Security and Emergency Management
• Federal Government: Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA)
• Non-Governmental Partner: American Red Cross

Centralized Assistance for Resilient Communities (SDG 11 & SDG 16)

To ensure an effective and accessible institutional response, a Disaster Assistance Center (DAC) has been opened in Anchorage. This centralized hub supports SDG 11: Sustainable Cities and Communities, by providing a critical service to help residents recover and rebuild, thereby strengthening community resilience. It also reflects the principles of SDG 16 by creating an accessible and responsive institution for affected citizens.

• Location: Calista Corporation Building, 1400 West Benson Boulevard, Anchorage
• Operating Hours: Monday – Friday, 10:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.
• Operational Period: Effective until November 14

Financial and Housing Support to Reduce Vulnerability (SDG 1 & SDG 10)

Direct financial and material assistance is being provided to address immediate needs and reduce the inequalities often exacerbated by natural disasters. These measures are in direct support of SDG 1: No Poverty, by preventing affected households from falling into economic distress, and SDG 10: Reduced Inequalities, by ensuring support reaches vulnerable populations.

1. State of Alaska Individual Assistance:
   • Up to $21,800 for individual assistance.
   • Up to $21,800 for “other needs” assistance.
   • This aid is provided as a non-repayable grant.
2. FEMA Individual Assistance:
   • Housing assistance, including rental support, temporary housing, and funds for repairs.
   • “Other needs” assistance for essential items such as furniture, appliances, and affected vehicles.
   • This aid is also non-repayable.

Progress and Strategic Deadlines for Climate Action Response (SDG 13)

The response to this climate-related event (SDG 13: Climate Action) is being tracked to ensure timely delivery of aid. As of the reporting period, significant progress has been made in registering individuals and approving funds. Clear deadlines have been established to facilitate an organized and efficient recovery process.

• FEMA Registrations: 536 individuals registered, with $870,000 in assistance approved.
• State Registrations: 1,305 individuals registered.
• State Registration Deadline: December 9.
• FEMA Registration Deadline: December 22.

Ensuring Equitable Access and Well-being (SDG 3 & SDG 10)

To promote good health and well-being (SDG 3) and reduce access-related inequalities (SDG 10), multiple channels for registration and support have been established. This includes remote options and transportation services to ensure all affected individuals can access the necessary resources for recovery.

• State of Alaska Assistance Line: 1-844-445-7131
• FEMA Assistance Line: 1-866-342-1699
• Red Cross Assistance Line: 1-800-RED-CROSS
• Transportation Support: Individuals needing transportation to the DAC can arrange a ride by calling 2-1-1.

Analysis of Sustainable Development Goals in the Article

1. Which SDGs are addressed or connected to the issues highlighted in the article?

1. SDG 1: No Poverty

   • The article discusses providing significant financial assistance to individuals affected by ex-Typhoon Halong. Natural disasters can destroy homes, livelihoods, and savings, pushing people into poverty. The relief efforts, such as the state offering up to $21,800 for individual assistance, directly aim to alleviate the financial shock and prevent victims from falling into poverty.

2. SDG 11: Sustainable Cities and Communities

   • The core issue is the recovery of a community after a natural disaster. The article details efforts to provide housing assistance, including rental aid, temporary housing, and repairs. This aligns with making human settlements resilient and helping them recover from shocks. The establishment of a centralized Disaster Assistance Center (DAC) is a practical step in managing post-disaster recovery for a community.

3. SDG 13: Climate Action

   • The article addresses the aftermath of an “ex-Typhoon,” which is a climate-related extreme weather event. The response described is a direct action to strengthen the resilience and adaptive capacity of the affected population to climate-related hazards. The entire recovery effort is a response to the impacts of climate change.

4. SDG 17: Partnerships for the Goals

   • The article explicitly highlights a multi-stakeholder partnership. It states that “The State of Alaska and the federal government have joined forces” and encourages people to register with “the state individual assistance, FEMA individual assistance, and Red Cross.” This collaboration between state government, federal government (FEMA), and a civil society organization (Red Cross) to achieve a common recovery goal is a clear example of this SDG in action.

2. What specific targets under those SDGs can be identified based on the article’s content?

1. SDG 1: No Poverty

   • Target 1.5: By 2030, build the resilience of the poor and those in vulnerable situations and reduce their exposure and vulnerability to climate-related extreme events and other economic, social and environmental shocks and disasters. The article’s focus on providing financial and housing assistance to victims of a typhoon is a direct effort to build their resilience and help them recover from a climate-related shock.

2. SDG 11: Sustainable Cities and Communities

   • Target 11.5: By 2030, significantly reduce the number of deaths and the number of people affected and substantially decrease the direct economic losses…caused by disasters…with a focus on protecting the poor and people in vulnerable situations. The assistance programs are designed to help the “people affected” and mitigate their “direct economic losses” by providing funds for repairs, housing, and other needs.

3. SDG 13: Climate Action

   • Target 13.1: Strengthen resilience and adaptive capacity to climate-related hazards and natural disasters in all countries. The coordinated response by state, federal, and non-governmental agencies to provide relief and recovery resources is a practical implementation of strengthening the community’s resilience and capacity to adapt after a climate-related disaster.

4. SDG 17: Partnerships for the Goals

   • Target 17.17: Encourage and promote effective public, public-private and civil society partnerships… The article is a case study of this target, detailing the partnership between the State of Alaska (public), FEMA (public), and the Red Cross (civil society) working together through a unified Disaster Assistance Center.

3. Are there any indicators mentioned or implied in the article that can be used to measure progress towards the identified targets?

1. Indicators for Targets 1.5, 11.5, and 13.1

   • Number of people registered for assistance: The article provides specific figures that can be used as an indicator of the number of people affected who are being reached by recovery efforts. It states, “536 people had already registered with [FEMA]” and “The state has registered 1,305 people for assistance.”
   • Amount of financial assistance approved and disbursed: This is a direct measure of the economic support provided to build resilience. The article mentions “$870,000 in assistance approved” by FEMA and a potential of “$21,800 for individual assistance from the state.”
   • Types of non-financial assistance provided: The article implies an indicator by listing the kinds of support available, such as “rental assistance, temporary housing, repairs,” and assistance for “furniture, their appliances… or any vehicles that were affected.” This measures the scope of the recovery support.

2. Indicators for Target 17.17

   • Number and type of partners involved in the recovery effort: The article explicitly names the partners, serving as a qualitative indicator of a multi-stakeholder partnership. It identifies three distinct entities: “the State of Alaska,” “FEMA,” and the “Red Cross.” The creation of a joint “Disaster Assistance Center” is a concrete indicator of this collaboration.

4. Summary Table of SDGs, Targets, and Indicators

Source: alaskasnewssource.com