Cover and section photo credits Cover Photo: “Marshall Islands” (Marshall Islands) by BermudaMike is licensed under CC BY-SA 2.0. https://www.flickr.com/photos/skyshotsbermuda/8915066758 Country Overview: “Jaki-Ed Weaving in the Marshall Islands. Two Women are Presenting Their Traditional Weaving Skills.” February 3, 2011. http://pacificislandaffairs.gallery.dfat.gov.au/Marles/Visit-Marshall-Islands-201102/i-HkqQWQR Disaster Overview Section Photo: “130708-N-GI544-216EBEYE” (Marshall Islands) by U.S. Navy Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class Laurie Dexter/Released is licensed under CC BY-SA 2.0. https://www.flickr.com/photos/navalsurfaceforces/9248855040/ Organizational Structure Section Photo: “New Speaker Kenneth Kedi congratulates new President Casten Nemra” (Marshall Islands) by RNZI Giff Johnson. http://www.radionz.co.nz/international/pacific-news/293465/nemra-elected-marshall-islands-president Infrastructure Section Photo: “The Marshall Islands-Majuro-Window” (Majuro, Marshall Islands) by Stefan Lins is licensed under CC BY-SA 2.0. https://www.flickr.com/photos/mrlins/302904938 Health Section Photo: “Improving Water, Power and Health Services in the Marshall Islands” (Marshall Islands) by Asian Development Bank. https://www.adb.org/news/photo-essays/improving-water-power-and-health-services-marshall-islands Women, Peace and Security Section Photo: “130709-N-WD757-376” (Marshall Islands) by U.S. Navy Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class Carlos M. Vazquez II/Released is licensed under CC BY-SA 2.0. https://www.flickr.com/photos/navalsurfaceforces/9253852641/ Conclusion Section Photo: “Majuro Cooperative School Photo.” https://majurocoopschool.files.wordpress. com/2013/11/manitday2015.jpg?w=1200&h=600&crop=1 Appendices Section Photo: “The Marshall Islands-Majuro-Rusty” (Marshall Islands) by Stefan Lins. March 2000. licensed under CC BY-SA 2.0. https://www.flickr.com/photos/68467272@N00/302904943/ 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 .......................................................................................................................................................14 Demographics .........................................................................................................................................14 Ethnic Makeup .................................................................................................................................14 Key Population Centers ................................................................................................................15 Vulnerable Groups .........................................................................................................................15 Economics ................................................................................................................................................17 Environment ............................................................................................................................................19 Geography ........................................................................................................................................20 Borders ...............................................................................................................................................20 Climate ...............................................................................................................................................20 Disaster Overview .........................................................................................................22 Hazards ......................................................................................................................................................22 History of Natural Disasters.........................................................................................................24 Climate Change ...............................................................................................................................26 Infectious Disease ...........................................................................................................................27 Endemic Conditions ......................................................................................................................27 Organizational Structure for Disaster Management ..................................................30 Community Based Disaster Risk Management in RMI..............................................................31 Foreign Disaster Relief and Emergency Response ....................................................................31 U.S. Government Agencies .................................................................................................................32 Republic of the Marshall Islands Disaster Management Reference Handbook | 2016 3 Disaster Management Organizations in RMI ...............................................................................32 Laws, Policies, and Plans on Disaster Management ..................................................................33 Education and Training ........................................................................................................................35 Disaster Management Communications.......................................................................................35 Early Warning Systems ..................................................................................................................37 Responsible Agencies for Flood and Storm Warning .......................................................37 Military Role in Disaster Relief ...........................................................................................................37 Foreign Military Assistance .................................................................................................................37 Foreign Assistance and International Partners ...........................................................................38 Infrastructure .................................................................................................................42 Airports ......................................................................................................................................................42 Seaports ....................................................................................................................................................42 Land Routes .............................................................................................................................................43 Roads ...................................................................................................................................................43 Railways ..............................................................................................................................................43 Waterways .........................................................................................................................................43 Schools ......................................................................................................................................................43 Communications ....................................................................................................................................45 Utilities .......................................................................................................................................................45 Power ..................................................................................................................................................45 Water and Sanitation .....................................................................................................................45 Health .............................................................................................................................48 Health Overview.....................................................................................................................................48 Structure ...................................................................................................................................................48 Healthcare System .................................................................................................................................49 Challenges in the Healthcare System .............................................................................................50 Communicable Diseases .....................................................................................................................50 Non-Communicable Diseases ...........................................................................................................51 Women, Peace and Security ..........................................................................................54