Pohnpei – In a significant effort, 135 families in Chuuk, Federated States of Micronesia (FSM), affected by Typhoon Wutip in 2019 have become the owners of newly-built, climate-resilient homes.  

Constructed under the Disaster Resilience in the Compact Nations (RESILIENCE) project, these houses are expected to help build the capacity of communities to withstand the ever-growing impacts of climate change. 

Supported by the United States Agency for International Development (USAID), the RESILIENCE project is implemented by the International Organization for Migration (IOM) in close partnership with the Government of FSM, aiming to enhance the capacity of the Government and people of FSM to prepare for, respond to, and reconstruct after natural disasters. 

“The challenges faced by our coastal communities in the aftermath of typhoons are manifold. I am pleased to see the completion of the new house reconstruction which contributes greatly to the stability and resilience of our outer island communities,” said Justin Fritz, Chuuk State Disaster Coordinating Office (DCO) Head.  

“The successful completion of this very challenging initiative is a testament of the strong partnership we hold with USAID and IOM,” he added. 

Salvatore Sortino, IOM Micronesia Chief of Mission highlighted that “this project has been a collaborative effort to ensure communities and the National and State Governments of FSM are better able to rebuild and recover following the devastating impacts of natural hazard events like typhoons.” Furthermore, he commended the collaborative effort and the leadership of DECEM [Department of Environment, Climate Change and Emergency Management] and DCO in delivering assistance, especially to communities in hard-to-reach outer islands. 

Over the past two years, the project provided reconstruction assistance to communities in 24 islands of Chuuk Lagoon and the Mortlocks and Northwest Regions, and in Yap and Pohnpei States. 

The reconstruction of houses was made possible with an extensive operation involving complex logistics to procure and deploy materials and manpower especially to outer islands. Throughout the process, IOM’s skilled engineers worked alongside 600 community working group members who were trained and equipped with tools and supplies fit for repair and construction work. 

The five-year RESILIENCE project also rebuilds and renovates public infrastructures, including school buildings and health facilities, and the reconstruction of public facilities is expected to be finalized in March 2024.Additionally, RESILIENCE supports affected communities repair houses through a voucher assistance programme for essential construction materials and household appliances in Pohnpei, Chuuk and Yap States. 

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