Kolonia – The International Organization for Migration (IOM), under the leadership of the Department of Environment, Climate Change and Emergency Management (DECCEM), is supporting the review of Disaster Preparedness and Response Plans in the Federated States of Micronesia (FSM) to ensure the country’s strengthened resilience and readiness to respond during disaster events. 

Through engaging key sectors, including communications, health, utilities and education, IOM and DECEM revised existing plans and Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) for Emergency and Disaster Response, reaffirming roles and responsibilities of frontline responders in the event of natural and/or human-induced hazards.  

Supported by the United States for Agency for International Development's (USAID's) Disaster Resilience in the Compact Nations (RESILIENCE) program, the review workshops were conducted at the national level, as well as in each of FSM’s four states – Pohnpei, Chuuk, Kosrae and Yap. The discussions were finalized on 2 November 2023. 

Key updates that culminated from the workshops included enhancing early warning procedures, multi-sectoral coordination and emergency communications. 

Following the workshop, IOM held bilateral consultations with agencies in Pohnpei, including the United Nations International Children's Emergency Fund, United Nations Development Program and Asia Development Bank to integrate inputs into the disaster response plan and SOP.  

The review came as a follow-up on the findings of a series of simulation exercises held in all four states of FSM, which highlighted strengths and limitations in disaster risk management capacity.  

Speaking at a simulation exercise held in Kosrae on 27 October, DECEM Assistant Secretary, Abigail Lambert, said “The pressure placed on our nation to be better prepared for extreme weather patterns, as our first step, led us to the distinguished achievement of conducting the inaugural tabletop exercise in 2017 within our office premises. This landmark laid the cornerstone for developing robust Standard Operating Procedures and response plans, which are crucial for our resilience.”  

“As we move forward, our objective is to enhance the operational capacity of this space and continue to foster partnerships to support this cause,” she added.   

Gul Ahmadi, IOM Micronesia Deputy Chief of Party for the RESILIENCE program stated, “Disaster preparedness and response planning in the Federated States of Micronesia has progressed thanks to the strong leadership of DECEM and active contributions of frontline agencies. IOM is committed to furthering engagement with responders from national to municipal levels to ensure risks derived from natural hazards can be mitigated to the extent possible with necessary capacities, while making sure the procedures are in place to facilitate emergency response.”   

The review workshops and bilateral consultations will lead to the operationalization of updated disaster preparedness and response plans and SOPs, enhancing disaster risk management in the FSM. 

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