Kolonia – The International Organization for Migration (IOM), in partnership with disaster risk management agencies in the Federated States of Micronesia (FSM) and the Republic of the Marshall Islands (RMI), launched the “Inclusive Mitigation and Preparedness in Action II (IMPACT II)” programme, aimed at enhancing climate change adaptation and disaster preparedness in the North Pacific. 

Funded by the United States Agency for International Development (USAID), Bureau for Humanitarian Assistance (BHA), the project will boost the capacity of communities and the Governments of FSM and RMI, building their resilience to natural hazards and slow onset impacts of climate change. 

During her visit to Pohnpei, FSM, USAID Mission Director, Zema Semunegus, attended the programme launch ceremony on 9 November. Semunegus reaffirmed USAID’s support to the Government and the people of FSM, as well as the commitment to mitigating the impacts of climate change and strengthening the nation’s resilience.  

Days before the launch, Semunegus and USAID representatives visited a water catchment system installed in the Piedie community, Pohnpei, under IOM's predecessor IMPACT I project. 

“This project is particularly special as it encourages local governments and communities to come up with solutions and ways with which they can best adapt to climate change and mitigate its impacts. The goal is to let the most affected communities know what resources are available to them and provide them with the tools they need to make it through difficult circumstances, ensuring they are prepared for future disasters,” she said.   

In RMI, sea level is expected to rise by half a metre by the year 2070, making many of its atolls uninhabitable. More frequent and intensified droughts further make it increasingly challenging for communities to access safe water for household consumption.  

Similarly, in FSM, typhoons threaten coastal homes and their farmlands, livelihoods, infrastructure, the environment and the country’s economy.  

Through a consultative process with communities and local governments, the two-year project will prioritize the needs of communities and support their adaptation efforts through food security, water security and emergency evacuation shelter enhancement initiatives. 

IOM Micronesia Community Resilience Programme Coordinator, Daniel McNamara, expressed his gratitude to partner agencies for their active engagement and collaborative efforts, highlighting the strategic importance of the new project in the face of increasingly challenging climate change impacts.  

"IMPACT will directly engage national and state partners, among other stakeholders, to assess current capacities and gaps and update disaster preparedness and response plans. Strengthening coordination between decision-makers will be a key priority at the community and government levels," McNamara said.  

During the launch, participants identified ongoing initiatives aligned with IMPACT II priorities and discussed target atolls across RMI and outer islands in FSM to support the most vulnerable populations.

IMPACT II builds on the successes of IMPACT I, which has been implemented across three countries in Micronesia, including FSM, RMI and the Republic of Palau, from 2020 to 2023.

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For more information, please contact at IOM Micronesia: Haimanot Abebe, Email:  haabebe@iom.int, +691 320 8735