FSM appeals to Obama for relief assistance

Transcript

The President of the Federated States of Micronesia is preparing a letter requesting Barack Obama declare a State of Emergency in the country which would allow Federal resources to flow into the country under its Compact arrangement with the United States.

Damage caused by Typhoon Maysak in Ulithi, Yap, Federated States of Micronesia Photo: Brad Holland / FSM Office of Environment and Emergency Management

The Director of FSM's Emergency Management Office, Andrew Yatilman, says the appeal comes after the completion of damage assessments following Typhoon Maysak by the US Federal Emergency Management Authorities and USAID.

He told Koroi Hawkins that the US Government agency validated the initial assessment by local authorities as to the extent of the damage.

ANDREW YATILMAN: Yes, I have received one that preliminary damage assessment that was conducted. A joint one that we requested and was conducted by USAID, FEMA and state and national government officials and both Yap and Chuuk preliminary damage assessment results have been shared with the government and the US ambassador, the US resident Ambassador in Pohnpei.

KOROI HAWKINS: And is it good news or bad news?

AY: It is good news in a sense that the assessment or the abbreviated assessment that was carried out seems to confirm that there is in fact a disaster that could, that the FSM President could request the President of the US to declare a state of emergency in the state of Chuuk and Yap.

KH: And do you know, first of all what does that mean?

AY: If the US President declares a state of emergency in Chuuk and Yap, then what it means is that US Federal resources in terms of financial resources and other resources that the US government determines to be needed in responding to the disaster will start to flow in.

KH: And this is good news for the people in the affected villages?

AY: Yes because this would mean that, good news for the people in the affected communities because this would mean you know there is going to be financial resources to assist them with their damaged homes and good news for them because this would mean some level of feeding assistance for some period of time while their agricultural crops you know get back to normal. And also it is good news for the government in terms of public infrastructure projects that have been damaged. So it's good news for the FSM if the US President declares a state of disaster.

KH: And is there a timeline on when this letter will be sent to the President?

AY: Yes my staff and then the President's Chief of Staff they will get the letter to the President who is currently in Chuuk for him to sign that letter so that it could go out today if at all possible.