President Simina Declares State of Emergency Amid Drought

PALIKIR, Pohnpei, March 12, 2024 – H.E. President Wesley W. Simina has issued Emergency Declaration No. 2024-001 in response to severe drought conditions being faced throughout the Federated States of Micronesia (FSM).Through the Declaration of Emergency, President Simina has directed the following:- Committing the resources of the National Government to supplement available resources through foreign assistance and domestic resources as needed.- Establishment of a National Emergency Task Force, headed by the Secretary of the Department of Environment, Climate Change, and Emergency Management, to develop and implement immediate relief efforts and monitor vulnerable populations, especially in the outer islands.- Activation of disaster relief funds to support national and state relief efforts, including waivers for competitive bidding and import taxes for emergency-related procurements.- Coordination with state authorities to ensure a cohesive and effective emergency response.- Allocation of $1,288,824 into the Disaster Relief Fund to support relief efforts, with the potential for additional funds to be decreed as necessary.The full declaration can be viewed at: https://gov.fm/…/784-presidential-emergency-declaration…The Declaration has been transmitted to the FSM Congress for its review, and according to Article X, Section 9 (c), it is expected that Congress will convene to consider revocation, amendment or extension of this emergency declaration.President Simina has stated:“We are committed to taking all necessary steps to mitigate the adverse effects of this emergency and ensure the safety and well-being of all our citizens, especially the most vulnerable. Unfortunately these intensified events are the realities of climate change that we know all too well, but we are a resilient people and we will get through this.”For further information and updates, citizens and residents may contact the Department of Environment, Climate Change, and Emergency Management (DECEM) at (691) 320-8815 or by emailing decem@decem.gov.fm###