LocationsImproved Water Resource Management and Emergency Communication in Chuuk State, FSM
March 7, 2023
Rehabilitated Water Treatment Plant
Chuuk, Federated States of Micronesia – The United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) is committed to the improvement of the water resource management and emergency communication capacity for preparedness and mitigation of the Federated States of Micronesia (FSM). Under the Japan-funded project, entitled ‘Enhancing Disaster and Climate Resilience in the Federated States of Micronesia through improved Disaster Preparedness and Infrastructure (EDCR FSM Project)’, it aims to improve the capacity for preparedness and mitigation of FSM to man-made, geo-physical and climate- related hazards and to climate change impact.
This was witnessed during a handover ceremony held on Monday 27 February and attended by Honorable Alexander R. Narruhn, Governor of Chuuk State, Honorable Andrew Yatilman, Secretary of Department of Environment, Climate Change and Emergency Management (DECEM), Honorable Faustino Stephen, Mayer, Weno Municipality, Mr. Yasutaka Okamoto, Second Secretary, Embassy of Japan to the FSM, Mr. Kevin Petrini, Deputy Resident Representative and Country Manager for the UNDP Pacific Office in the FSM, Mr. Kembo Mida Jr., CEO, Chuuk Public Utility Corporation, and Mr. Justin Fritz, Director, Chuuk Disaster and Emergency Operation Center.
UNDP through the EDCR FSM Project supported Chuuk Public Utility Corporation (CPUC) to improve their water management resources to enhance disaster and climate resilience capacity which benefited around 3,898 people with an increased production rate by 25 percent. CPUC has rehabilitated 14 deep wells and Water Treatment Plant. The UNDP has also supplied a water truck to distribute water to household during drought period.
(From Left) Mr. Kembo Mida, Jr. Chief Executive Officer, Chuuk Public Utility Corporation; Honorable Mr. Andrew Yatilman, Secretary of the Department of Environment, Climate Change and Emergency Management Honorable; Alexander R. Narruhn, Governor of Chuuk State; Mr. Yasutaka Okamoto, Second Secretary, the Embassy of Japan to FSM; Mr. Kevin Petrini, Deputy Resident Representative and Country Manager for the UNDP Pacific Office in the Federated States of Micronesia; Mr. Justin Fritz, Director, Chuuk Disaster and Emergency Operation Center
Mr. Kembo Mida, Jr. Chief Executive Officer, Chuuk Public Utility Corporation, mentioned “CPUC generates 650,000 gallons of water a day, or about 20 million gallons of portable water a month. In addition to increasing the production rate of water generation, the project gave us an opportunity to increase water production from surface water by up to 50 percent which will be cheaper than producing water from deep wells”. He continued “the water tanker in the past year and a half has delivered more than 2 million gallons of potable water to residents that live in the outer villages that do not have access to water”.
Mr. Yasutaka Okamoto, First Secretary, Embassy of Japan to the FSM said,I hope that these grants will help as many people in Chuuk State as possible to get the water they need in emergencies and in their daily lives.”
In his remarks during the hand-over ceremony, Mr. Kevin Petrini, Deputy Resident Representative and Country Manager for the UNDP Pacific Office in the FSM, highlighted “the Chuuk Women’s Council previously reflected on their experience, mentioning that women enjoyed having water and coming straight homes not worrying about collecting water which was very time-consuming”.
In the same handover ceremony, UNDP also handed over 25 High Frequency (HF) and nine Very High Frequency (VHF) radios to the Chuuk State to upgrade their emergency communications. The HF and VHF radio systems will enable communication over long distances, including between remote islands and areas with limited infrastructure. They will also provide reliable and efficient communication during emergencies, enabling rapid response times and the coordination of rescue efforts. The systems were carefully chosen to meet the specific needs of the country under tropical environment. The new HF radio has the function of selective calling system which can alert specific radio base without disturbing other bases and can send a short message, contributing for improving the quality of communication and coordination. The Department of Environment, Climate Change and Emergency Management (DECEM) are leading installation of the radios all over the States, supported by UNDP.
(L-R) Yoko Ebisawa, EDCR Project Manager, UNDP and Paul Howell, Project Manager, Chuuk Public Utility Corporation.
Rehabilitated deep well.
Hon. Alexander R. Narruhn, Governor of the Chuuk State mentioned, “We are facing high tides very frequently. This kind of equipment is well needed in outer islands, by which we can communicate when disaster hits.”
Mr. Justin Fritz, Director, Chuuk Disaster and Emergency Operation Center, mentioned radio equipment is very important to protect lives in communities in Chuuk, where community are scattered, apart from 100 miles. He also mentioned the importance of continuous maintenance and trainings after the equipment is installed.
Mr. Kevin Petrini also expressed his appreciation to the Government of Japan for their generous support, which enables UNDP to work with the Government on the enhancement of the country’s resilience to the impact of disasters and climate change, COVID-19 response and recovery and the Sustainable Development Goals (SGDs).
The UNDP EDCR project, since its commencement in 2019, has provided equipment strategic to Palau’s disaster risk management. The project aims to strengthen gender sensitive disaster communication and climate monitoring systems; enhance gender sensitive national and state disaster responder’s readiness capacity; and enhance community disaster resilience through improved water resource management and integrated gender and social inclusion awareness.
For more information, please contact:
Takiko Ifamilik, Finance and Administrative Officer, Enhancing Disaster and Climate Resilience in the Federated States of Micronesia Project, UNDP Office in FSM, Tel: +(691) 320 4456, Email: takiko.ifamilik@undp.org
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