<< More about the Community Lifelines Programme

<< Back to the Federated States of Micronesia Country Profile

• Past Interventions
• Current Issues for Micronesia (Federated States of)
• Programme Response

The effective social and economic development of Pacific Communities is dependent on three essential inputs, namely energy, water and information and communication technologies. The Community Lifelines Programme aims to improve the Pacific Communities’ access to these essential inputs.

To achieve this in FSM, SOPAC has provided assistance in response to specific requests and through a number of general regional initiatives. A summary of these activities and initiatives is provided below:

Past Interventions

Interventions in FSM that relate to the Community Lifelines Programme involved the development of the Energy, Water and Information and Communications sectors.

One such intervention is the modification of the existing National Energy Demand/Suppy Database for the four states of Yuk, Kosrae, Pohnpei and Chuuk. The database was previously constructed by the Forum Secretariat and later handed over to SOPAC, as this was an area of their mandate. Modifications to the FSM energy databases was carried out then carried out to reduce complexity, minimise workload in collecting/inputting data and be more user friendly. Assistance was also provided to FSM in the revision of their Draft National Energy Policy. The assistance was enabled through preliminary discussions and consultations.

A number of interventions were carried out to benefit the relevant governmental departments Geographic Information Systems. In 1999, FSM technicians were trained in support work in GIS and Remote Sensing Development for the [Pohnpei EPA] . Two phases of the GIS and Remote Sensing Implementation project was undertaken for FSM to bring together the geographical data held in the various governmental departments and private utilities on Kosrae .

Further interventions included assistance to the Water Sector. Initial visits and assessments of the water status of FSM have been underway since 1996. An inventory of the Paies water supply system on Pohpei was conducted (Mogensen, 1996), a water supply system for Nan Mand was proposed for Kitti Municipality (Mogensen, 1996), provision of support of general project plans for their water and sanitation sector (Scholzel, 1997) and assisting Kosrae in designing short-term drought mitigation measures and design enhancem,ent of their surface water intakes (Scholzel, 1998). A Demand Management and Conservation Project to reduce wastage of freshwater through good demand management and conservation practices were also conducted.

Current Issues for Micronesia (Federated States of)

Within the context of the three pillars of sustainable development, there are a number of critical issues that have been identified by FSM through national and regional mechanisms. Many of these issues are critical in relation to the achievement of FSM’s longer-term vision and fall within the work programme component areas of the Community Lifelines Programme. In terms of the globally recognised pillars of sustainability, namely environmental, economic and social issues, the relevant identified key issues and concerns are summarised below:

• Conservation and management of groundwater to avoid contamination and salt water intrusion.
• Collection and safe storage of rainwater.
• Water catchments and storage areas are prone to contamination and pollution.
• Antiquated water delivery systems.
• Watershed integrated management programmes hampered by unclear demarcations of boundaries, land ownership and poor waste management practices.
• Contamination of freshwater streams and rivers due to improper waste disposal.
• Need for water conservation and education awareness.
• Importation of non-biodegradable materials has brought ever-increasing pollution problems and the need for correct collection, disposal and management of waste.
• Inability of waste services to keep pace with population growth.
• Management of toxic and hazardous chemicals and wastes.
• Lack of feasibility and engineering studies for sustainable waste management services.
• Lack of effective data collection, analyses and monitoring systems for waste and water management.
• Lack of strategic planning for waste and water management.
• Need to diversify the energy resource base to prevent over-reliance on imported petroleum products.
• Need for development of alternative power systems, but FSM has little long-term experience with renewable energy.
• Lack of monitoring of FSM’s renewable energy potential.
• Insufficient capacity at all government levels to coordinate, plan and manage the energy, water and ICT sectors.

Programme Response

Tackling these issues requires a pragmatic approach from FSM’s partners, such as SOPAC. The Community Lifelines Programme provides assistance through both regional projects and specific activities that respond to individual country requests.

A variety of projects aimed to improve the nation’s access to water, energy and information and communication technologies is currently underway with the technical assistance of SOPAC. According to the three inputs the following is in place:

For the energy sectors, these include:

• A Review of the FSM Solar Electrification Programme to provide recommendations for improvement and an Energy Conservation and Efficiency Programme is earmarked for FSM. Assistance will also be given in terms of implementing recommendations as well as constructing a funding proposal for the two programmes respectively.
• A Rural Electrification Policy [REP] will be developed for the four states of FSM using the National Energy Policy [NEP] as general guidelines for the development of REP of the individual states.
• SOPAC assistance is also being sought for the development of the FSM Wave Power Proposal and Renewable Energy Proposal.
• Once the REP is adopted by the states of FSM, a Training Attachment will be executed to provide training to relevant FSM nationals on project proposal formulation; rural remote island energy development policy; formulation of cooperative in solar electrification and the applicability and viability of solar pre-payment meters.

For the Information and Communication Technologies sector, these responses include:

• One of SOPAC’s ongoing commitments is their support to Member Countries in ICT Development as well as in Intranet/Internet Development of which FSM is a recipient. Support is through the development of relevant technology and information systems to aid in sustainable development of FSM’s natural resource as well as developing the relevant human resource to manage the systems.
• Relevant and effective training in IT systems will be provided to key personnel in Kosrae Island Resource Management Program Staff .
• A system will also be developed for the State of Chuuk to monitor Land Cover using satellite images and train operatives to use such a system.
• A GIS for Public Utilities Board of Pohnpei, Chuck and Yap is being planned for implementation once funding is secured, to enhance the operations of the power and water utilities.

For the Water sector, one such response is the provision of Hydrogeological Support to FSM’s Asia Development Bank Project Drilling Progam .

Regionally, FSM’s needs are being addressed along with other South Pacific member countries through:

• The continual assessment of wind development and energy resources, the provision of technical assistance and training of staff in this area, and the provision and maintenance of a database which will assist the decision making and capacity building of concerned and relevant human resources;
• The development of energy resources that incorporate new and related technologies, the improvement of community access to and awareness of these energy resources, in order to ensure sustainable management;
• The development of cost effective and suitable technology such as Geographic Information Systems [GIS] and Remote Sensing on spatial data for the region that is accessible for relevant stakeholders, regionally and internationally; the development of intranet and internet technologies; relevant support to the government departments concerned, and ensuring the accuracy of available data;
• The provision of technical advice on water and sanitation in the region, its proper management and awareness of waste management; the development of strategies that will reduce member islands’ vulnerability to drought;
• The review of existing policy and legislation in water, energy and relevant information and communication technologies that relate to SOPAC work programmes; representation of Pacific concerns at global forums, and the coordination of regional action plans in these areas.