Republic of the Marshall Islands Disaster Management Reference Handbook 2019
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REPUBLIC OF THE MARSHALL ISLANDS Disaster Management Reference Handbook December 2019 Acknowledgements CFE-DM would like to thank the following organizations for their knowledge and support in developing this resource: Special thanks goes to Rachel Bigler, Public Health Emergency Preparedness Director, Office of Health Planning, Policy, Preparedness & Epidemiology, Ministry of Health and Human Services, RMI; Tiare Eastmond, USAID OFDA Regional Advisor for the Pacific; Stan Keolanui, Plans Analyst, U.S. Army Pacific; John Paul Henderson, Regional Counsel, FEMA Region IX; Robert Pierce, USAID/Philippines & Pacific/Environment; Colby Stanton, FEMA; and LTC John T. Yoshimori, 9th MSC Oceania Planner, U.S. Army Pacific. Cover and section photo credits Cover Photo: Ebeye Island, Kwajalein Atoll, Marshall Islands. Photo by Mr. Lorenzo Moscia. July 28, 2019. Map Cover: OnTheWorldMap.com. Detailed map of the Marshall Islands. 2012-2019. http://ontheworldmap.com/marshall-islands/detailed-map-of-marshall-islands.html Country Overview Section Photo: Women preparing food in Majuro, Marshall Islands. Photo by Asian Development Bank is licensed under CC BY-NC-ND 2.0. August 16, 2014. https://flickr.com/photos/asiandevelopmentbank/15272544944 Disaster Overview Section Photo: U.S. Navy Seabees deployed with NMCB-5’s Detail Marshall Islands set up the Ennibur Evacuation Center project site in Ennibur Island, Marshall Islands. U.S. Navy photo by Petty Officer 2nd Class Stephane Belcher. November 2, 2019. https://www.dvidshub.net/image/5902700/us-navy-seabees-deployed-with-nmcb-5s-detail-marshall-islands-set-up- ennibur-evacuation-center-project-site Organizational Structure for Disaster Management Photo: A reverse osmosis water system was donated from USAID to Ebeye, an atoll of the Marshall Islands to assist in water filtration. U.S. Navy Photo by Mass Communication Specialist 3rd Class Samantha J. Webb. July 6, 2013. https://flickr.com/photos/navalsurfaceforces/9238139651 Infrastructure Section Photo: Photo by Mr. Lorenzo Moscia. Ebeye Island, Kwajalein Atoll, Marshall Islands. July 28, 2019. Health Section Photo: A pediatrician volunteer with Project Hope, lets a child patient listen to her heartbeat with a stethoscope at a medical civic action project during Pacific Partnership. U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class Carlos M. Vazquez II. July 8, 2013. https://flickr.com/photos/navalsurfaceforces/9253857183 Women, Peace, and Security Section Photo: Woman from Ebeye Island, Kwajalein Atoll, Marshall Islands. Photo by Mr. Lorenzo Moscia. July 28, 2019. Conclusion Section Photo: The Marshall Islands are known for diving due to the fish and coral. Photo by Mr. Lorenzo Moscia. Ebeye Island, Kwajalein Atoll, Marshall Islands. July 28, 2019. Appendices Section Photo: Many Marshallese spend most days fishing. Photo by Mr. Lorenzo Moscia. Ebeye Island, Kwajalein Atoll, Marshall Islands. July 28, 2019. 2 Center for Excellence in Disaster Management & Humanitarian Assistance Table of Contents Welcome - Note from the Director ...........................................................................................................7 About the Center for Excellence in Disaster Management Humanitarian Assistance ..........8 Disaster Management Reference Handbook Series Overview ......................................................9 Executive Summary ....................................................................................................................................10 Country Overview .....................................................................................................................................12 Culture .......................................................................................................................................................13 Demographics .........................................................................................................................................13 Ethnic Makeup .................................................................................................................................13 Key Population Centers ................................................................................................................13 Language ...........................................................................................................................................14 Religion ..............................................................................................................................................14 Vulnerable Groups .........................................................................................................................14 Economics ................................................................................................................................................18 Government .............................................................................................................................................19 Environment ............................................................................................................................................20 Geography ........................................................................................................................................20 Maritime Security ...........................................................................................................................20 Climate ...............................................................................................................................................20 Disaster Overview ....................................................................................................................................22 Disaster Management Challenges ...................................................................................................22 Climate Change ...............................................................................................................................22 Recent History of Natural Disasters .................................................................................................23 Country Risks ...........................................................................................................................................26 Country Risk Profile ........................................................................................................................26 Republic of the Marshall Islands Disaster Management Reference Handbook | December 2019 3 Organizational Structure for Disaster Management ..................................................28 Lead Government Agencies in Disaster Response ....................................................................28 Key Disaster Management Partners ................................................................................................29 International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies ..............................29 U.S. Government Agencies in the Republic of Marshall Islands ............................................31 Participation in International Organizations ................................................................................32 Foreign Disaster Relief and Emergency Response .............................................................32 Laws, Policies, and Plans on Disaster Management ..................................................................33 Education and Training ........................................................................................................................35 Disaster Management Communications.......................................................................................35 Early Warning Systems ..................................................................................................................35 Responsible Agencies for Warnings .........................................................................................36 Armed Forces’ Role in Disaster Response ...............................................................................37 Information Sharing ......................................................................................................................37 Infrastructure .................................................................................................................42 Airports ......................................................................................................................................................42 Seaports ....................................................................................................................................................42 Roads ...................................................................................................................................................44 Railways ..............................................................................................................................................44 Waterways .........................................................................................................................................44 Schools ......................................................................................................................................................44 Disaster Risk Reduction in the Education Sector ................................................................44 Communications ....................................................................................................................................45