Typhoon relief effort operations continue in the FSM states of Chuuk and Yap following Super Typhoon Maysak, which passed through the FSM states between March 29 and April 1, 2015. Since passage of the typhoon, continuing damage assessments have revealed widespread devastation in these two states, prompting FSM President Manny Mori to send a letter to U.S. President Barrack Obama requesting a U.S. Presidential Disaster Declaration for the affected areas of the Federated States of Micronesia. If approved, under provisions of the Amended Compact, a United States Presidential Disaster Declaration (PDD) would pave the way for access to a more robust, and much needed support package to address immediate relief needs, and medium and long term recovery and reconstruction efforts. Such assistance would supplement the already ongoing efforts of the US government to assist FSM.
In President Mori’s letter to President Obama, some very preliminary damage assessment costs are identified; these cost estimates are sourced from the hard work of a Preliminary Damage Assessment (PDA) team consisting of USAID, FEMA, and FSM National and State Government inputs. It is anticipated that if a U.S. PDD is issued, initial relief and reconstruction support would follow shortly thereafter. Additionally, more detailed and comprehensive assessments will continue to be refined as relief and recovery efforts progress.
Please click on the following to view President Mori's letter to President Obama.