Federal funding for hurricane relief in the Virgin Islands has surpassed the $2 billion mark.
The Federal Emergency Management Agency, FEMA, has approved more than $2.1 billion for various recovery projects under the public assistance program.
Those grants have gone towards emergency and permanent work projects throughout the territory.
FEMA recently issued $233-million for the ‘sheltering and temporary essential power program’ also known as STEP. As well as $19.7 million for WAPA to manage long-term recovery projects — which have pushed funding above the $2-billion mark.
The STEP program allowed for emergency home repairs to more than 7,000 storm-damaged homes.
Education, hospitals, and strengthening the power grid across the Virgin Islands have also received support through the STEP program.
FEMA’s public assistance program will continue to support recovery from the 2017 hurricanes Irma and Maria, which both ravaged the islands.
