Majuro – The International Organization for Migration (IOM) handed over radio equipment to the Port Authority of Majuro on 7 August 2024, as part of ongoing efforts to enhance border governance and health security in the Republic of the Marshall Islands (RMI). The radios will improve coordination and communication among border officials and agencies during public health emergencies. 

Supported by the Government of Japan, the radios will enable real-time communication among border officials, health authorities, and other emergency responders. They will also enhance the coordination of critical emergency operations such as screening, quarantine and evacuation processes. 

Thomas Maddison, Executive Director of the RMI Ports Authority, expressed enthusiasm for the new equipment and recalled past communication challenges at the airport and seaport. “These radios will greatly improve our team’s communication effectiveness and contribute to safeguarding public health,” he said. 

IOM emphasizes the importance of effective border management in preventing the introduction and spread of infectious diseases, especially in countries like the Marshall Islands, where the remoteness of some atolls presents additional challenges to recovery efforts. The strategic use of radios can significantly enhance the capacity to report incidents and ensure response actions are executed effectively.  

This investment in reliable radio systems, coupled with future training of personnel in their use, is critical for building resilient and responsive border governance infrastructures. 

In the coming month, the RMI Port Authority will conduct emergency drills at the Marshall Islands International Airport to test the radios and assess existing emergency response structures and capacities. 

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