FAO Disaster Risk Management and Resilience Work in FSM is continuing 4months after Tropical Cyclone Maysak struck the Federated States of Micronesia.

Approximately 30 000 people on 36 islands were affected by destructive winds and torrential rainfall when Tropical Cyclone Maysak struck Chuuk State on 28-29 March and Yap State on 1 April. Agriculture and infrastructure were seriously affected in both states, with many islands having suffered at least 90 percent damage to staple crops such as taro, banana, breadfruit and coconut.

In response, FAO is continuing efforts to help restore the productive capacities of affected households. Together with a wide range of stakeholders, FAO is providing agricultural assistance to restore food and nutrition security through the sourcing and procurement of planting materials, re-packaging of seeds and storage. Stakeholders include: Federal States of Micronesia Research and Development, Pohnpei State Office of Economic Affairs (Agriculture), the College of Micronesia Cooperate Extension Service, Natural Resources Conservation Service, the Island Food Community of Pohnpei and the United States Department of Agriculture.

Update of FAO Disaster Risk Management and Resilience Work in FSM

• FAO staff have been able to find solutions to the logistical problems of shipping seeds and tools to the Yap and Chuuk Islands of FSM and the emergency response programme is on track to meet its targets.
• Seeds have arrived in Yap and have been packaged and are currently waiting on leaflets and stickers for distribution.
• Seeds have arrived in Chuuk and are in the process of re - packaging. 
• Shipment of hand tools has been confirmed for the end of August.
• Procurement of the planting materials is almost complete with distribution on schedule to be finished by the end of August. 

Image: courtesy of Oceania Community Health