U.S. Department of the InteriorOFFICE OF THE SECRETARY FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE : August 12, 1997 Stephanie Hanna (O) 202/208-6416 (BIA) Thomas Sweeney (O) 202/219-4150 SECRETARY BABBITT TO DIRECT EMERGENCY FUNDS TO HAVASUPAITRIBAL RESIDENTS DISPLACED BY FLASH FLOOD Secretary of the Interior Bruce Babbitt announced today that the Bureau of Indian Affairs will be immediately responding to the emergency evacuation of residents around Supai Village on the Havasupai Indian Reservation, following a flash flood on August 10. The Bureau of Indian Affairs will provide $300,000 in emergency assistance funds to meet immediate needs for food, shelter, and clothing for residents who have been air-lifted from their homes. “The residents of Supai Village have had far more than their share of distress caused by flash floods this decade,” Secretary Babbitt said. “Today’s emergency assistance will meet the immediate needs of displaced tribal members until a more complete assessment can be made of the extent of the damage and what can be done by the federal government in response.” The $300,000 will be made available to the Havasupai Tribe immediately under the discretionary authority of the Secretary to provide assistance to tribes in emergencies caused by severe natural disasters. -DOI- U.S. Department of the Interior |