Community Risk Programme for the Federated States of Micronesia
The Pacific is acknowledged as being among the most threatened regions in the world, with the continuing presence of natural, human induced, technological and environmental hazards. While the threats presented by these hazards may be seasonal or differ from country to country in respect to type, frequency or intensity, no country is immune to their devastating impacts.
The challenge of achieving sustainable development goals, including poverty alleviation and protection of the environment, cannot be achieved unless the impacts of disasters on vulnerable communities is taken into account. While not all risks to development result from the impact of disasters, the reduction of the potential for such events needs to be central to any programmes designed to achieve and maintain sustainable development. This potential can only be effectively reduced, in the context of the development process, by adopting a broader and more integrated approach to hazard mitigation and risk management.
The SOPAC Community Risk Programme offers such an approach to the management of community risk and targets three key areas: strengthening resilience to disasters, mitigating the effects of hazards and mainstreaming risk management as part of the national development planning process
Past Interventions
Interventions in the FSM with regards to hazard and disaster management have been minimal. However relevant personnel from this sector continues to be trained in the area of Disaster Management.
In 2003, a representative of the FSM was sent to attend an International Disaster Management Course in Bangkok. Under The Asia Foundation and the Office of the United States Foreign Disaster Assistance [TAF/OFDA], together with its implementing partner, a couple of training courses were completed in FSM. The two courses in Introduction to Disaster Management [IDM] and Training for Instructors Course [TFI] were conducted in 2003. FSM has been part of the regional level training workshops and courses that the TAF/OFDA conducts in the Pacific.
The Environmental Vulnerability Data Profile for the Federated States of Micronesia was compiled for as a demonstration index, which demonstrates the level of vulnerability to natural forces a country is susceptible to.
Current Issues for Micronesia (Federated States of)
The critical issues faced by FSM as mentioned in FSM’s National Assessment Report, which relate to the Community Risk Programme and are interrelated with the other programmes of SOPAC are:
- Susceptibility to natural disasters, and increased risks from severe storms and other extreme events, particularly for human settlements in coastal margins.
- Information gaps in relation to potential impacts of climate change, sea level rise and climate variability.
- Fragile economy that is vulnerable to external economic shocks and relies on foreign aid assistance.
- Need for region-wide protocol to measure economic, social and environmental vulnerabilities that can provide the foundation for understanding the special case for Small Island Developing States (SIDS).
- Need to improve vulnerability and adaptation assessments and plan appropriate response strategies.
- Limited human and financial resources for implementing vulnerability programmes.
- FSM supports an increase in research and development programmes on the environmental vulnerability index.
Programme Response
The Community Risk programme has a regional focus designed for implementation at the national level in each member country. These regional programmes, projects are expounded on below of which national projects are a spin off from:
- The provision of support where appropriate for FSM representation at international training programmes, workshops and conferences.
- The provision of high-level advocacy to promote the mainstreaming of risk management through the application of CHARM.
- Conducting CHARM national training courses and workshops
- The provision of post disaster technical or institutional support following the impact of disasters.
- The environmental vulnerability index – a tool that assesses the vulnerability of the countries of the world to assist national stakeholders in decision-making and to influence policy to reduce vulnerabilities of Pacific communities.
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