Incident: Typhoon Sinlaku
When: Apr. 12, 2026
Nutrition Assistance Program (NAP)
- On June 8, 2026, we approved the CNMI Department of Community and Cultural Affairs (DCCA) request to operate Disaster Nutrition Assistance Program (D-NAP) territory-wide in response to Typhoon Sinlaku that began on Apr. 12, 2026. President Donald J. Trump issued a Major Disaster Declaration designating CNMI as eligible for Federal Individual Assistance on Apr. 23, 2026. CNMI D-NAP dates of implementation are still being finalized.
- On May 29, 2026, we approved the CNMI Department of Community and Cultural Affairs (DCCA) request to extend NAP certification periods for ongoing households, territory-wide, for two (2) months due to the impacts of Typhoon Sinlaku that began on Apr. 12, 2026.
- On May 27, 2026, we approved the CNMI Department of Community and Cultural Affairs (DCCA) extension request to waive the statutory definition of "food" under Section 3(k)(1) of the Food and Nutrition Act of 2008, as amended and accompanying regulations at 7 CFR 271.2. This extension waiver approval allows NAP households territory-wide to continue to purchase hot foods with NAP benefits through June 27, 2026, in order to increase access to food after power outages as a result of Typhoon Sinlaku that began Apr. 12, 2026.
- On April 27, 2026, we approved the CNMI Department of Community and Cultural Affairs (DCCA) request to issue mass replacements to impacted households. This waiver approval allows households to receive replacement of NAP benefits as stated in the approval due to power outages and flooding as a result of Typhoon Sinlaku that occurred on Apr. 12, 2026. The waiver approval applies to NAP households territory wide.
- On April 27, 2026, we approved the CNMI Department of Community and Cultural Affairs (DCCA) request to waive the statutory definition of "food" under Section 3(k)(1) of the Food and Nutrition Act of 2008, as amended and accompanying regulations at 7 CFR 271.2. The waiver allows NAP households territory-wide to purchase hot foods with NAP benefits, in order to increase access to food after power outages as a result of Typhoon Sinlaku that began Apr. 12, 2026. The waiver is in effect through May 27, 2026. Retailers may need as much as 24-36 hours to make changes that will allow for the sale of hot foods.
Past Responses
- 2019
Incident: Typhoon Hagibis
Began October 2019
Nutrition Assistance Program (NAP)
- On Oct. 18, 2019, FNS approved a request from the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands (CNMI) to extend the ten (10) day requirement up to thirty (30) days, or by Nov. 6, 2019, for NAP recipients on Saipan, Tinian, and Rota. This approval allows NAP recipients to request the replacement of NAP coupons and/or food that was purchased with NAP coupons destroyed as a result of Typhoon Hagibis, that passed through the Marianas on Oct. 7-8, 2019. FNS approved the extension of the reporting period to Nov. 6, 2019.