Disasters, Conflicts and Migration

For a more detailed database on disasters by country, please see the Centre for Research on Epidemiology of Disasters Country Profile. 

Seasonal Effects on Logistics Capacities

Capacity and Contacts for In-Country Emergency Response

GOVERNMENT

Emergency response operates nationally through the Department of Environment Climate Emergency Management (DECEM) in Palikir. Disaster coordination offices are present in each of the state capitals and have designated Disaster Coordination Officers (DCO). The DECEM provides the coordination and framework for Emergency response. The DCO at state level coordinates operational response in their respective regions. The cluster structure has not been established however it remains an organisational goal at DECEM to see its implementation. Outside major emergency responses DECEM and DCO are responsible for coordinating Sea Search and Rescue Operations in conjunction with US Coast guard based in Guam.    

FSM Government relies significantly on international assistance during normal times and emergency situations. While DECEM is recognised as the emergency response structure mechanism nationally, state disaster coordination offices are in a capacity development phase and will need to be provided support to develop more effective responses at state level. FSM will continue to rely on outside sources in the case of larger emergencies. FEMA provide funding for disaster response if the assessed cost of a disaster is over USD 1m, under this figure, funding relies on the FSM Government’s own resources. FEMA funding is channeled through USAID to their implementing partners, IOM provide the response mechanism on the ground. To trigger this level of aid the Presidents of FSM and the USA must declare it a state of emergency.  

Due to a limitation of resources, established businesses operating in the states’ capitals often assist small vulnerable groups where possible. The National Oceanic Resources Management Authority (NORMA, the Government agency responsible for managing the FSM’s fisheries resources) will also respond by communicating to the fishing fleets in FSM waters. 

The US Coast Guard provides surveillance aircrafts for search and rescue, but military involvement in disaster response has been minimal and ad-hoc. Military (external) response assistance is not a part of any response planning and there are no formal frameworks.      

For more information on government contact details, please see the following link: 4.1 Micronesia Government Contact List 

HUMANITARIAN COMMUNITY 

IFRC have a National office in Kolonia and are represented in the four states with prepositioned emergency NFI in container storage in each state (200 x family packs in Pohnpei and Chuuk, 100 x family packs in Yap and Kosrae). They work closely with UNICEF and IOM and sit on the National Disaster Response Committee. USAID have a strong presence in the region and have provided funding for UNDP, UNICEF and IOM who have ongoing programs throughout the region focused on disaster resilience and capacity building, prepositioning emergency stocks, education, water sanitation, health and nutrition, COVID responses and child protection. 

For more information on humanitarian agency contact details, please see the following link: 4.2 Humanitarian Agency Contact List

The politics of the Federated States of Micronesia (FSM) takes place in a framework of a federal representative democratic republic. The President of the Federated States of Micronesia is both head of state and head of government. Executive power is exercised by the president and his cabinet, while legislative power is vested in both the president and the congress. The judiciary is independent of the executive and the legislature. 

FSM operates on two separate regulatory levels: national bodies under the FSM Government and at the state level for Pohnpei Chuul, Yap and Kosrae. 

At the National level the following departments are responsible for the listed regulatory functions 

• Office of the President 
• Department of Foreign Affairs official requests to the international community for disaster assistance 
• Department of Resource & Development oversees the Division of  Agriculture under which lays Bio Security and Quarantine and Food Quality, energy, trade and investment 
• Department of Transportation, Communication, and Infrastructure is responsible for all air and Maritime Activity including Ports Airports and shipping regulations and includes ownership of Government ships in each State
• Department of Finance and Administration oversees the division of Customs and Tax Administration. The responsibility of the division is to regulate and collect tax revenue and authorise Tax and Duty exemptions on imported goods
• Department of Health and Social Affairs
• Department of Justice
• Department of Education
• Department of Environment, Climate Change & Emergency Management (DECCEM) is responsible for the preparedness and Disaster response for all National Emergencies
• Office of Public Defender 

The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has a laboratory for quality testing of food and water. Testing of items such as fuel are undertaken by SGS in Guam. 

Further information is available at https://gov.fm/#:~:text=STATE%20GOVERNMENT,includes%20seven%20major%20island%20groups. 

The Compact of Free Association (COFA) is an international agreement establishing and governing the relationships of free association between the United States and the three Pacific Island sovereign states of the Federated States of Micronesia (FSM), the Republic of the Marshall Islands (RMI), and the Republic of Palau. Under the compact, the US federal government provided guaranteed financial assistance over a 15-year period administered through its Office of Insular Affairs in exchange for full international defence authority and responsibilities. Negotiators initiated the Compact of Free Association in 1980. In 2003, the compacts with the RMI and FSM were renewed for 20 years and provided USD 3.5 billion in funding for both countries. An extension of economic provisions under the compact is under negotiation. 

For more information on regulatory departments and quality control laboratories’ contact details, please see the following links:  4.1 Micronesia Government Contact List and 4.3 Laboratory and Quality Testing Company Contact List. 

For contact information regarding government custom authorities, please follow the link below:  4.1 Micronesia Government Contact List

Customs policy, procedures, rules and regulations are the responsibility of the Division of Customs and Taxation Administration (DCTA) of the Department of Finance and Tax Administration. (DFTA) 

While each State maintains various departments, at state level customs is regulated and controlled nationally with an office in each of the four states. 

Duties and Tax Exemption

Duties and tax exemption can be applied for all goods that are part of a foreign aid program and for all goods that are used for humanitarian purposes. Tax exemption requests must be agreed to and approved by the Secretary of the Department of Finance and Tax Administration. 

Applications are made on a consignment or case by case basis and organisations are not given a blanket exemption based on the organisation’s activities. 

All goods which are classified as being goods that fall under the import category of Foreign Aid and also for use in Humanitarian Aid are tax exempted. However, any of these goods being imported under such classification and subsequently sold will attract all taxes. Imported goods that are donated are not taxed. (Source: Department of Customs and Tax Administration (Palikir). 

Emergency Response

[Note: This section contains information that is related and applicable to 'crisis' times. These instruments can be applied when the Government officially declares an emergency.  When this occurs, there is usually a streamlined process to import goods duty and tax-free.] 

Exemption Regular Regime (Non-Emergency Response)

Duties and tax exemption fall under Section 222 of title 54 1 of the Code of the 2 Federated States of Micronesia Amendment 15-118. Specifically section 6 Refers to the exemption for goods imported for foreign aid projects and Section 9 refers to good used for humanitarian purposes. 

The procedures and polices do not change with the enactment of a state of disaster or emergency. 

The official process to be followed for taxes exemption is the same. 

While an organisation can directly apply for tax exemption directly to the DFTA during non-disaster times, during a national state of emergency they should channel duty and tax exemption requests through the Department of Environment, Climate Change, and Emergency Management  (DECEM) who are the national focal point and cluster coordination focal point and will be able to expedite exemption requests directly to the Secretary.

Note: Organisations cannot get a blanket exemption based on the organisation activities. (source Assistant Secretary to DCTA)

Exemption Certificate Application Procedure

Exemption Certificate Document Requirements

Customs Clearance

General Information 

Customs Clearance Document Requirements

Transit Regime

No ports in Micronesia have bonded facilities but can however store full containers for goods in transit.