Updates on Guam & Saipan

April 26, 2026

Aftermath of Typhoon Sinlaku:

Updates from Guam & Saipan - Donations Needed

Håfa Adai,

Super Typhoon Sinlaku battered the island of Saipan in the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands for two days in mid-April, destroying homes, damaging infrastructure and leaving residents without power, water and phone service.

A week later, essential services were still down. Islanders waited in long lines to wash clothes at a laundromat operating under generator power. Humanitarian organizations distributed food, and one set up an emergency desalination plant so residents could have clean drinking water.

Amid the devastation, members of St. Paul’s Episcopal Church on Saipan gathered to give thanks. The Rev. Canon Irene Egmalis Maliaman, who serves as the vicar of St. John the Divine Episcopal Church on Guam and the priest-in-charge of St. Paul’s, delivered emergency relief funds from the Episcopal Relief and Development (ERD) and supplies from parishioners on Guam.

The 25 members of St. Paul’s were among the 43,000 Saipan residents who endured the Category 4 storm. Sinlaku’s maximum sustained winds were estimated at 150 mph when it hit the island, and its large size and slow movement – the 60-mile-wide eye traveled only 25 miles in 14 hours – meant the storm pounded Saipan for almost two full days.

St. Paul’s members reported the complete collapse of roofs and tin wall structures, interior damage to their homes and flooding as water entered through windows, ceilings and structural gaps.

In the aftermath of the storm, limits have been placed on food and fuel purchases, and water-filling stations have placed limits on distribution.

The parishioner impact report notes that “the strength of family, faith and community continues to provide essential emotional and spiritual support during this difficult time.”

When flights resumed at the damaged Saipan airport, Egmalis Maliaman was able to bring donations from Guam. Handheld chargeable fans, baby wipes, hand sanitizers, ready to eat food, clothes and children’s shoes were packed and delivered.

“We want to thank those who already donated and supported us,” she said. She added that the ERD, coordinated by Bishop Robert Fitzpatrick of the Episcopal Diocese of Hawai'i and Race A. Hodge of ERD, enabled this initial response.

HOW TO HELP

All financial contributions should be made to St. John the Divine through the QR code shown, or click HERE to go to the online donation link. Checks can be mailed to St. John the Divine at the address shown. Be sure to note that donations are for Saipan relief.