---
kind: "section"
citation: "42 U.S.C. § 5204"
title: "42"
title_heading: "The Public Health and Welfare"
number: "5204"
heading: "Insular areas disaster survival and recovery; definitions"
release: "119-102"
date: "2026-07-12"
url: "https://uscodex.org/usc/42/5204"
units:
  - "Chapter 68 — Disaster Relief"
  - "Subchapter V — Miscellaneous"
---

# §5204. Insular areas disaster survival and recovery; definitions


As used in sections 5204 to [5204c](/usc/42/5204c.md) of this title—

- (1) the term “insular area” means any of the following: American Samoa, the Federated [States](/usc/42/5195a.md?p=a-9) of Micronesia, Guam, the Marshall Islands, the Northern Mariana Islands, the Trust Territory of the Pacific Islands, and the Virgin Islands;
- (2) the term “disaster” means a declaration of a [major disaster](/usc/42/5122.md?p=2) by the President after September 1, 1989, pursuant to [section 5170 of this title](/usc/42/5170.md); and
- (3) the term “[Secretary](/usc/42/242q–4.md?p=2)” means the [Secretary](/usc/42/242q–4.md?p=2) of the Interior.

## Source credit

(Pub. L. 102–247, title II, § 201, Feb. 24, 1992, 106 Stat. 37.)

## Notes

### Editorial Notes

### References in Text

Sections 5204 to 5204c of this title, referred to in text, was in the original “this title”, meaning title II of Pub. L. 102–247, Feb. 24, 1992, 106 Stat. 37, which enacted sections 5204 to 5204c of this title and amended section 5122 of this title.

### Codification

Section was enacted as part of the Omnibus Insular Areas Act of 1992, and not as part of the Robert T. Stafford Disaster Relief and Emergency Assistance Act which comprises this chapter.

### Executive Documents

### Termination of Trust Territory of the Pacific Islands

For termination of Trust Territory of the Pacific Islands, see note set out preceding section 1681 of Title 48, Territories and Insular Possessions.