Kolonia - Following the El Niño event which began in Fall 2023, drought is affecting parts of the Federates States of Micronesia (FSM) and the Republic of the Marshall Islands (RMI). 

According to the United States Drought Monitor, as of 5 March, 16 atolls and islands in the North Pacific have experienced varying degrees of dry weather, ranging from abnormally dry conditions to severe drought, with twelve of these islands situated in FSM and RMI.  

Over the past months, Pingelap in Pohnpei has encountered extreme drought conditions drying up wells and making it increasingly difficult for its 258 residents to access water for basic household use. Meanwhile, on the main island of Pohnpei, water restrictions have been put in place from mid-January to preserve diminishing water resources, despite heavier rains experienced in recent weeks. A State of Emergency was declared in Pohnpei State on 12 January 2024.  

Likewise, in Wotje and Kwajalein, two outer islands of RMI, severe drought conditions drag on, as observed in the US Drought Monitor report. In the past three months, more than 4,000 residents have been affected by the drought in RMI according to a National Disaster Management Office. 

The FSM Department of Environment, Climate Change & Emergency (DECEM) Secretary, Andrew Yatilman, noted the gravity of the situation, underlining the need to ensure water and sanitation availability, especially in schools and health dispensaries, to avoid further risks to vulnerable populations. 

“The FSM State and National Government are working closely with partners to alleviate the challenges at hand,” he said, emphasizing the commitment for continued collaboration to ensure support is available to vulnerable communities throughout the FSM.  

As reported by the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) and United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) on 29 February, the Micronesia sub-region is expected to experience improved precipitation as of April 2024. However, the impact of drought on agriculture and water supplies will still require intermediate and long-term interventions to be normalized. 

The International Organization for Migration (IOM), with funding from the United States Agency for International Development (USAID), has been effectively strengthening drought preparedness and response efforts in FSM and RMI.  

In close coordination with the FSM DECEM, State Disaster Coordinating Offices and RMI's National Disaster Management Office, IOM has deployed Reverse Osmosis (RO) units with the capacity to desalinate up to 360 litres of sea water per day to the outer islands of Arno, Namu, Santo, Mejatto and Ebadon atolls of RMI, as well as to Mwokilloa and Pingelap of FSM. The interventions are aimed to support access to clean water for over 2,000 community members. 

Additionally, IOM’s response has included deploying water and sanitation materials, such as hygiene kits and jerry cans, reaching approximately 700 community members in Polowot, Tamatam, Houk and Pollap in Chuuk, as well as Mwoakilloa, Pingelap, Kapingamarangi and Sapwuafik in Pohnpei.  

Salvatore Sortino, IOM Micronesia Chief of Mission, explained that a key component of preparedness and response is supporting first responders, so they can assess the impacts and respond in the most effective way possible.   

“This is an ongoing process,” he said. “It relies on continued collaboration with the Governments and first responders to build solid preparedness capacity and identify mitigation opportunities before and during crisis." 

Following reports of water shortages, IOM organized six Initial Damage Assessment trainings in the outer islands of Pohnpei and Yap States. More trainings will be provided in affected outer islands to strengthen local capacities to determine the severity and magnitude of the drought and inform preparedness and response.   

IOM remains committed to monitoring the drought situation and collaborating with the State and National Governments of FSM and RMI to strengthen assistance through in-kind and capacity-building support. More remains to be done to reach locations potentially affected by drought conditions and residents with limited access to water who are at risk of the compounding effects of drought, including health and socioeconomic impacts.  

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