Palikir, Pohnpei - Despite the recent Congressional
action revoking the President’s Declaration
of Emergency and a decree of emergency funding for severe drought conditions
nationwide, there remains an urgent need to assess and mitigate the effects of
El Nino in the Federated States of Micronesia.
In response to this urgent need, the FSM National and State
governments are collaborating and continuing their efforts to visit the outer islands
to assess the impact of prolonged drought conditions. Upon completion of this
assessment phase, the governments will know better how to help ensure that
people living on the islands have adequate drinking water to carry them through
this reduced rainfall period. Thus far,
the El Nino drought can best be characterized by prolonged periods of very dry conditions,
punctuated occasionally by short periods of rain shower activity; however, the
cumulative effects of these dry conditions are still cause for legitimate
concern and continued vigilance.
The Patrol Boat FSS MICRONESIA has visited Ngulu Atoll, the
westernmost outer island in the federation located between Yap Island and the
Republic of Palau, and is continuing its visit to the islands moving east from
Yap to Eauripik and then further on to other outer islands of Yap. Officials of the Yap State Government and the
National Government are on board to make their joint assessments. The Yap State
field trip vessel, HAPILMOHOL 1, departed Colonia, Yap on Wednesday, March 2nd,
with over 300 cases of available bottled water in the local stores for the
residents of four of the Yap Outer Islands whose supply of drinking water will
not last beyond two weeks. The field
trip vessel, MS MICRONESIAN NAVIGATOR, had also departed Pohnpei on Saturday,
March 5th, with about 4,000 cases of bottled water destined for the
Western Islands in the Northwest region of Chuuk State as well as the Outer
Islands of Yap. The field trip vessel,
MS CAROLINE VOYAGER, will depart Weno, Chuuk on Tuesday, March 8th,
to the rest of the Northwest region of Chuuk State to distribute over 1,000
cases of bottled water for the residents of the islands and undertake
assessment of water conditions. On the
recent voyage of the MS MICRONESIAN NAVIGATOR from Weno, Chuuk through the
Mortlocks Islands and on to Pohnpei, the crew carried out spot check assessment
of the water conditions on the islands there.
One of the patrol boats will carry assessors to Sapwuafik,
Nukuoro, and Kapingamarangi, the southernmost island in Pohnpei State, to
conduct similar assessments for the same purpose.
Following these assessment missions, the Office of
Environment and Emergency Management of the FSM Government will follow through
with any required additional aid to ensure the welfare and safety of people
residing on all affected islands of the federation.
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