The remote islands of the Federated States of Micronesia and the Republic of Marshall Islands are susceptible to a number of natural disasters.
A QUARTERLY NEWSLETTER ON
digest DISASTER RISK MANAGEMENT ACTIVITIES IN THE FEDERATED STATES OF MICRONESIA AND THE REPUBLIC OF THE MARSHALL ISLANDS
disaster VOL 1. 4TH QUARTER, 2010 FEMA/USAID DISASTER MITIGATION, RELIEF, AND RECONSTRUCTION PROGRAM Disaster History in Micronesia FEMA has a long history of mudslides, and severe droughts. This assistance to Micronesia, however in assistance ranged from medical Of the 25 Federal Emergency recognition of the sovereign status of the assistance through reconstruction of Management Agency (FEMA) declared FSM and RMI the U.S. Congress deemed public and private infrastructure. Under typhoon disasters of varying magnitudes USAID to be a more appropriate agency the new structure USAID has assumed in the Republic of the Marshall Islands to administer assistance. these roles and responsibilities. Under the (RMI) and the Federated States of The intention of this arrangement is to Disaster Relief and Reconstruction Micronesia (FSM) since 1963, almost 80 continue to provide a robust program of Program (DMRRP) the International percent took place between December emergency disaster relief similar to, but Organization for Migration (IOM) provides and April. FSM suffers the majority of not identical to the assistance provided by operational support. disasters with the eastern states of Yap FEMA in the past. The USAID program and Chuuk being the most affected. will not be subject to the provisions and On November 4th, 2008 responsibility requirements governing US-based in this issue: within the United States Government disaster assistance. The system is based (USG) for disaster mitigation, relief, and on an in-depth joint assessment of both Tabletop Exercise 2 reconstruction assistance was transferred FEMA and USAID practices and from the U.S. Department of Homeland experience in previous disasters. Pre-positioned Humanitarian Supplies 3 Security/FEMA to the U.S. Agency for The USG through FEMA, has Kapingamarangi Drought 4 International Development (USAID). provided emergency relief following scores of typhoons, wave surges, More..... 5
Contact Info The mission of the International Organization for Migration (IOM) in the Federated States of Micronesia and the Republic Email: of the Marshall Islands is to operationally support the United [email protected] States Agency of International Development (USAID) in Phone: FSM +691 320-8795 complying with its federal responsibilities under Compact of RMI +692 247-4705 Free Association signed between the Government’s of FSM and RMI towards disaster mitigation, relief and reconstruction. Steps for USG disaster assistance: According to the Operational Blueprint U.S. disaster assistance will only be available when the following steps have occurred.
Photo: State and National government representatives are joined at the table by U.S. 1. Declared National State of Emergency government and international partners to discuss reconstruction during the tabletop exercise in Pohnpei. The President of the affected nation(s) has declared a national state of Typhoon Contingency Planning - Tabletop Exercise emergency. Representatives from central and state In addition, the Exercise familiarized them 2. DAEF funds made available governments, United States Agency for with the Operational Blueprint - a document International Development (USAID), the US which outlines the US disaster assistance Department of Defence, the Federal process in the FSM and the RMI, for which The affected country has made it’s Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), USAID assumed responsibility from FEMA Disaster Assistance Emergency Fund the Small Business Administration (SBA), in November 2008. A presentation on the (DAEF) available to address the disaster the International Organization for Migration Blueprint was conducted by FEMA and by expending either (a) up to 50 percent (IOM), the United Nations and diplomatic other agencies, including U.S. Office of of the current balance or (b) another missions met in Pohnpei, FSM, and Foreign Disaster Assistance (OFDA), the amount that the national government(s) Majuro, RMI, in the week starting October SBA, the IOM and UN OCHA provided and U.S. ambassador(s) deem 18 for a major disaster preparedness briefings on their disaster assistance appropriate. exercise. Senior Leaders from the approaches. respective countries participated in the “During the exercise, nearly all the 3. UN request for assistance events, as well as representatives of the objectives were met. Most notably, respective US Embassies. participants felt the Operational Blueprint The national government has requested U.S. Presidential disaster declaration The Operational Blueprint Tabletop assistance through the UN representative process was clearly explained and Exercise was jointly facilitated by the for coordination of disaster and supported by exercise activities. USAID and the FSM and RMI governments humanitarian assistance. Additionally, participants expressed an in Pohnpei and Majuro, respectively. overwhelming desire to conduct an annual Logistical and administrative support was 4. U.S. Ambassador declaration exercise focused on disaster response and provided from the Joint Taskforce for the Operational Blueprint.” stated the Homeland Defence and the IOM. Remarks Once the first 3 steps have been USAID Disaster Assistance Coordinator, from senior US officials were couched in Bart Deemer. completed the US ambassador has, spirits of collaboration and a genuine desire under their authority, declared a disaster to foster open communication through a Moreover, participants of the Tabletop were that will trigger a request for a team approach to disaster management. able to create networks and share contribution usually up to $50,000 from
information during the two day Tabletop USAID/OFDA The exercise, the first of its kind, created a Exercises. Funding from the U.S. Pacific hypothetical typhoon scenario aimed at Command (USPACOM) enabled the testing preparedness, response and 5. U.S. Presidential Declaration participation of representatives from all the reconstruction. The scenario included States of the FSM and representatives extensive damage or destruction to private from Ebeye and Auru, in the RMI. The President of the affected nation residences and public infrastructure, determines that additional assistance is inflicted by a Category 3 typhoon, which In his closing remarks in both Pohnpei and needed above the initial national and affected both main population centres, as Majuro, Major General Chavez of international sources. well as, outer islands. USPACOM described disaster The Exercise offered participants an management as a “continuous process of Request will be placed through U.S. Chief opportunity to analyze, plan and coordinate improvement,” and encouraged Tabletop of Mission to FEMA/USAID within 60 response efforts in order to minimize participants to view the exercise as only the days of the event. The request will disaster risk to communities. It also helped beginning, of their disaster management describe the amount and severity of them to assess their state of readiness, efforts. impacts and provide preliminary discuss coordination mechanisms and estimates of types and amounts of identify gaps to be addressed prior to the assistance needed. imminent typhoon season.
2 Disaster Digest MEDICAL Field Hospital: Beds, IV stands, Shelving, Pre-Positioned Trolley, Stethoscopes, Medical Tables Humanitarian WHO Pharmaceutical Supplies Kits:
Inter-Agency Health Kits (IEHK)-WHO approved.
SHELTER In order to reduce response time Photo: All of the IOM logistics bases are strategically located with proximity to both air and sea ports. in a number of emergency Plastic Tarpaulin Rolls: 4x50 meter sectors IOM has logistics bases in Emergency Field Tents: three strategic locations with pre- 14X6 meter positioned USAID-funded relief Ridge Tents: commodities. The intention is to 14x6 meter reduce the cost and management burdens of delivering frequently and urgently needed WATER & commodities and heavy and SANITATION bulky equipment items during the emergency period. Each of the Collapsible Water Jars: logistic bases has supplies for 20 liter approximately 1,000 Water Bladders: 5,000 Gallon households. 2,000 Gallon 1,000 Gallon Tanks: 2,030 Gallon Photo: Inside one of the three IOM logistics bases. Chlorine Tablets:
Solar Reverse Osmosis Units: 200 Gallon per day Reverse Osmosis Desalinization Units: 6,000 Gallon per day Hygiene Kits: Soap, dental kit, Sanitary pads, etc.
ENERGY
Generators 125kVA/100KW Photo: Reverse osmosis desalinization unit capable of 50 kVA/40KW purifying 6,000 gallons per day. 8 kVA/6.4KW
3 Disaster Digest Photo: Logistics is the biggest challenge in the delivery of Observations: relief supplies to the remote islands of the Western Pacific. 1. Food Security Coconut: on the windward sides of the islands show signs of stress and decreased production, some of the smaller islands in the atoll have lost all coconuts. Banana: Up to 90% of Banana (like the one pictured here) on Touhou and 25-40% on Werua show signs of stress and decreased production. Breadfruit: 75-90% of trees on Touhou and up to 25% on Werua show signs of stress and decreased production. Taro: No visible signs of stress or salt water intrusion in soil.
2. Freshwater Rainwater Catchments: Approximately 40% of catchment tanks (see picture) are not being used at all with almost 90% in need of increased roofing to drain into them. Kapingamarangi Atoll Drought Conditions Many of the larger roofs do not drain into Kapingamarangi is the southernmost island in the FSM and one of the most remote any catchment. Solar Stills: 170 older stills islands in the entire region. It is approximately 1.5 degrees North of the equator and is have design flaws that are limiting 300 km south of the next southerly atoll, Nukuoro, and 740 km southwest of the main production. Newer Rotary stills are island of Pohnpei. Kapingamarangi has a population of about 350 (120 are under the producing 1/2 gallon per day. age of 15). The total area of the atoll, including the lagoon, is 74 km². Out of this, 1.1 km² is land area, spread over 33 wooded islets on the eastern side of the atoll. Groundwater: Groundwater in Werua is clean and appears to have very low According to weather reports the drought conditions are being created by a ‘La salinity Nina’ weather pattern. The resulting cold surface water has greatly reduced the amount of evaporation and subsequent rainfall. There are indications that the equatorial drought area is beginning to slowly shrink. Areas, like Kapingamarangi, in the western equator should see relief first with Nauru and western Kiribati remaining dry possibly into March. Recommended Mitigation The process will require a few weeks as rain events become more and more frequent. On November 17th and 18th Kapingamarangi did receive around 1 inch of rain. Measures: Computer models and past climate history indicate that this dry pattern will likely continue for another month or so. Many of the effects of this drought could easily be lessened with a concerted, community-based Mitigation Drought Assessment and Response effort. In response to the situation reports coming out of Kapingamarangi, the Pohnpei FOOD SECURITY State Government requested that the FSM operated, Caroline Voyager be diverted from • Increased mulching around bananas and its normally scheduled trip to include a visit to the atoll. The State’s intention was to Taro send a team of specialists to verify reports and thoroughly analyze, food security and • Seedling nursery from the most drought water availability and return with a recommendation to the Governor regarding a possible resilient coconuts and breadfruit disaster declaration. Micronesia Red Cross Society also dispatched 70 units of 3-5 • Reduce/cease burning of organic matter gallon water jugs that were • Cease chopping the trunks of coconuts delivered by the assessment team. and other valuable trees The assessment team consisted of: WATER Mr. Rick Herman and Mr. Charles Otoko - Pohnpei State Public Increased conservation of groundwater • Safety, Mr. Tony Neth - FSM Office Adoption of above-ground composting • of Environment and Emergency toilets to reduce groundwater Management, and as part of the contamination on Touhou USAID-funded DMRRP, IOM sent Relocation of solar still to more exposed • Joshua Fuder as an observer. The places (ie. the public wharf) final report prepared by Mr. Distillation of brackish groundwater • Herman stated that “if drought instead of sea water to increase conditions resolve within the production from solar stills forecasted 4-6 week timeframe then the situation did not call for further assistance or a formal Photo: Mr. Herman(left) and Mr. Neth(right) take declaration by the Governor”. a moment to discuss the drought situation in Kapingamarangi.
4 Disaster Digest Reconstruction Assessments & Housing Designs
Photo: One of the three designs that was discussed in the Yap meeting. Highlight on the Blueprint: Some of the Key Highlights under the USAID system include:
HOUSING RECONSTRUCTION
• USAID will provide for the repair and reconstruction of only primary private homes that have been substantially damaged or destroyed in declared disasters.
• Assistance will address only primary residence except where multi-structure compounds exist; in Yap Reconstruction Workshop such instances, the assistance will include stand-alone kitchens, On November 25th and 26th IOM arranged a stakeholder meeting in Yap State with the assistance of the Office of Planning and Budget. The workshop agenda included bathrooms, and daytime living discussions on property assessments, community engagement process and the housing areas. designs being proposed under the USAID funded DMRPP. Participating stakeholders included; the USAID Disaster Assistance Coordinator, Program Management Unit In cases where there is a potential (PMU), the Office of Planning and Budget, the Chamber of Commerce, Yap State • Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), and the Department of Public Works, among of landslide or other hazard others. USAID will finance the relocation The meeting generated a robust conversation where local parters raised important and reconstruction of a home at questions regarding reconstruction. Some of the main concerns raised included; the environmental impact of post-disaster reconstruction and private sector involvement. another site. The housing designs spurred a great deal of constructive debate. The main topics included design adaptations for the outer islands and the logistics involved in the construction process in remote parts of the country, including challenges presented by the availability of water and skilled labor. IOM and USAID were very pleased with the numbers of participants and the useful input provided by all. The valuable participation and input will streamline the transition from FEMA to the current USAID system and will assist in post-disaster coordination.
FEMA Regional Administrator visits FSM and RMI The FEMA Region IX Administrator, Ms. Nancy Ward, was in Pohnpei from September 27-29 which was shortly followed by a visit to RMI. Ms. Ward met with key government and disaster management officials in preparation for the tabletop exercise which took place in October. Ms. Ward was accompanied by FEMA Emergency Analyst Kevin Clark and FEMA Pacific Area Director, Colby Stanton; as well as USAID Disaster Assistance Coordinator Bart Deemer. While in Pohnpei her delegation met with FSM President Emanuel Mori and Office of Environmental and Emergency Management (OEEM) Director Andrew Yatilman. She reinforced that the shift from FEMA to USAID as the lead disaster assistance agency would utilize disaster-related resources in a more efficient and user-friendly manner. President Mori thanked Ms. Ward and FEMA for its longstanding disaster assistance to the FSM. Photo: IOM Country Officer briefs Ms. In addition to the meetings in Palikir Ms. Ward also met with Pohnpei State Ward and her U.S. federal government Governor, John Ehsa and Pohnpei State Disaster Coordinator/Emergency Assistance colleagues at the IOM logistics base Administrator Rick Herman. Ms. Ward and her delegation were led on a tour of the IOM warehouse. logistics base which warehouses the USAID prepositioned humanitarian supplies by IOM Photo Courtesy: US Embassy-Pohnpei Country Officer for the FSM and RMI, Ashley Carl. (Source: U.S. Embassy Media Release # 41-2010)
5 Disaster Digest