Majuro – The International Organization for Migration launched a new project in the Republic of the Marshall (RMI) Islands on Thursday (May 25) to strengthen immigration and border management and respond to public health crises in RMI.  

The 24-month project, supported through funding from the Government of Japan and implemented in collaboration with the Government of RMI, aims to resume safe border management operations to revitalize social and economic sectors which have been hard hit by the impacts of Covid-19 in the region.   

The project is part of a larger border management intervention worth USD 6.9 million, implemented by IOM in the Federated States of Micronesia, Papua New Guinea, Samoa, the Kingdom of Tonga, Tuvalu, and Vanuatu with funding from the Government of Japan.  

“The closure of borders for over two years, which began in February 2020 in RMI and FSM, significantly impacted operations in various spheres, including in the development and private sectors as it affected both the movement of goods and people,” said Angela Saunders, Head of Sub-Office at IOM in RMI.    

Saunders added, “IOM is pleased to partner with the Government of Japan on this project to strengthen border management capacity which will contribute greatly to facilitating previously delayed movements and putting in place safety standards for future public health risks.”   

The project entitled “Strengthening Capacity of Border Control for Responding to Infectious Diseases in Pacific Island Countries” will include upgrading border management technology and equipment and strengthening the capacity of frontline border officials.  

This will be the second project funded by the Government of Japan that has been launched in Micronesia since the start of 2023, the first being a water, sanitation, and hygiene project for hard-to-reach islands in RMI and FSM.   

In his remarks at the launch event, His Excellency Tanaka Kazunari, Ambassador of Japan to RMI, said, “At the 9th Pacific Islands Leaders Meeting (PALM9) in July 2021, the Government of Japan expressed its commitment to COVID-19 response and recovery and strengthening the foundation for sustainable and resilient economic development as some priority areas of cooperation.” 

“I can tell you that the support for this project is proof of Japan's steady implementation of the commitment made at the PALM9 to support the RMI and other Pacific Island countries,” he said. 

In the Pacific Island nations of RMI and FSM, which already require lengthy travel times to reach, closure of land and sea borders, travel restrictions, quarantines, and lockdown measures implemented to prevent the spread of the outbreak have greatly impacted economic sectors such as tourism, remittance, and labor migration.  

The new project will work to minimize interruptions to economic activities and limit the impacts of further outbreaks by ensuring borders are safer for travelers, border officials, and host communities at large.   

Border management will be enhanced at strategic sea and air Points of Entry in RMI, including through the provision of air purifiers and ventilation equipment, COVID-19 screening area upgrades, thermal scanners, ambulance procurement, IT hardware and software (surveillance post equipment) and through training courses on health compliant procedures for border management officials.  

IOM will work closely with regional bodies such as the Pacific Immigration Development Community for improved cross-border cooperation in immigration and border management.

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