Eligibile Benefits for COFA Citizens
/
Here is a list of Federal Benefit Programs that COFA migrants are eligible for....
Read More
CDC Issues Warning of Mosquito Borne Virus in Yap
/
ap, FSM (January 22, 2014) - Between August to December of 2013, the State of Yap has reported over 1,400 cases of Chikungunya, a virus that is spread through mosquito bites. Earlier this week the CDC (Center for Disease Control and Prevention) began issuing warnings to all travelers to the area.
Currently, there is no vaccine or medicine...
Pohnpei Governor Declares State of Emergency Amidst Oil Leak
/
FSMIS (January 22, 2014): The Pohnpei State and Federated States of Micronesia Joint Taskforce on Ping Da 7, the grounded Chinese fishing vessel on the Nankapenparam Reef in Pohnpei, has stepped up its activities tremendously the past few days given the lack of response from the owner of the vessel.
Based on the Taskforce decisions made at its January 18 meeting, the sixteen Ping Da 7 crew members were brought to shore yesterday to be assisted with visa application...
Read MoreFSM Donates $100,000 to Aid in Yolanda Recovery.
/Palikir, Pohnpei (Dec. 23, 2013) FSM president, honorable Emmanuel “Manny” Mori held a short ceremony to present a check of $100,000 to Dr. Merlynn Abello-Alfonso, Honorary Consul of the Philippines in the FSM. The donation will aid in the Philippine's recovery efforts after the devastation of super-typhoon Yolanda....
Read MoreMosquito Transmitted Virus (Chikungunya) In FSM
/
The Federated States of Micronesia (FSM) has reported an outbreak of chikungunya in the State of Yap. The State of Yap consists of the main island of Yap and fourteen smaller islands. Since mid-August, more than 340 suspected cases have been identified on the main island and several...
Read MoreRMI's Vote of No Confidence
/
One of the longest and most disjointed sessions of Nitijela in many years wrapped up Thursday by defeating a motion of no confidence against the Loeak Administration. The marathon session Thursday concluded shortly after the 20-9 vote laid to rest the issue of majority control in Nitijela following four hours and 30 minutes of speeches by different factions.
Read MoreGovernor Titiml Extends State of Emergency in Kayangel, Palau
/
Kayangel governor, Jeffrey Titiml requested an extension of the State of Emergency after his state suffered "total destruction" from super-typhoon Haiyan.
Read MorePalau Issues State of Emergency After Haiyan
/
Typhoon Haiyan swept through the State of Yap causing minimal damage, but devastates Palau. President Remengesau of Palau declared a National State of Emergency. Koror and Babeldaob were heavily hit, the State of Kayangel reported "complete devastation".
Read MoreGuam Plans Transfer of Foreign Inmates
/
Last year, Guam joined the “International Prisoner Transfer Program”, a program that permits the relocation of prisoners to their countries of citizenship to carry out their prison terms; a process commonly referred to as deportation. Guam's prison facilities have reported overcrowding and high costs, with most of their foreign prisoners from the F.S.M. Although deportation will be beneficial to Guam, it may be a detriment to the F.S.M. where accounts of criminal activities from deportees have grown.
Read MoreBetel-Nut Among Youth in Yap & Pohnpei
/
A survey of a hundred 7th and 8th graders from the states of Yap and Pohnpei was conducted in November of 2012 concerning the use of Areca, commonly known as betel nut. Betel nut is classified as a carcinogenic, meaning that it has the potential to cause cancer.
Read MoreSocial Impacts of Climate Change
/
On a recent interview conducted by Radio New Zealand International, Yoshiko Yamaguchi, from the Marshall Islands explained how the recent drought has been especially harmful for women. The drought posed a threat to their livelihood.
Read MorePalau Considers Drones For Illegal Fishing Prevention
/
An unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) demonstration was conducted in Palau on October 4th. Andrew Forrest, one of Australia's wealthiest men and chairman of the Minderoo Foundation financed
Read MoreGAO Finds: FSM & RMI Continue Accountability Problems
/
The Government Accountability Office (GAO) reported that the governments of the FSM and the RMI have not submitted plans to address decreasing compact funding.
Through fiscal years 2007 – 2011, both governments used about....
Read MoreProvincial Superior Responds to Hezel Petition
/
The Fourth Branch reached out to Rev. David S. Ciancimino for a response regarding the petition to keep Rev. Francis X. Hezel in Micronesia.
Ciancimino responded via email. His response calls to.......
Read MoreImproved Phone and Internet Services in FSM & Palau
/
PALIKIR, Pohnpei (World Bank, Sept. 6, 2013) - World Bank Regional Vice President for East Asia and the Pacific, Alex van Trotsenburg announced that the World Bank will be supporting the improvements of internet and telephone services in FSM and Palau with a budget of $1.1 million.
van Trotsenburg stated that "Connectivity is critical for job growth,.....
Read MoreClimate Change 2013.
/
Earlier this week, a Kiribati man was refused a “climate change refugee bid”. The man argued that he had the right to claim refugee status in New Zealand because his home country is in danger from rising sea levels.
The New Zealand immigration tribunal....
Read MoreMicronesia Plans New Airline: Fly Micronesia
/
Recently the presidents of Palau, FSM and Marshall Islands have agreed to start a local based airline called Fly Micronesia. This airline aims to bring more tourists from the Asian region by creating a direct flight into Micronesia. It is said to have two outside hubs, one in Singapore and one in the Philippines. By doing this,......
Read MoreHezel Responds to Petition
/
Recently, a petition has been circulating asking for signatures from the public in support of keeping Rev. Francis X. Hezel, SJ in Micronesia. The petition, written by Vidalino Raatior, asks the leaders of the Jesuits in Micronsia, the New York Province, and the world to allow Hezel to remain in the region.
As of this writing, the petition has.......
Read More
GAO Finds Compact Aid Estimates Unreliable
/
(Government Accountability Office)
“The Government Accountability Office is the audit, evaluation, and
investigative arm of the United States Congress”, and they reported recently that current Compact Impact estimates were unreliable.
Hawaii, Guam, and CNMI estimated that they spent a combined $1 billion to support COFA (Compact of Free Association) migrants from 2004 to 2010. Out of this cost, they only received
"Don't Ever Whisper", as reviewed by Kathy Jetnil-Kijiner
/
(Available for purchase on Amazon)
When Ormita Jorelang first received training as a peer educator in a 1992 Majuro Youth Health Leadership seminar with Darlene Keju, she recalls the harrowing first time experience of being forced to recite a prayer in front of a group of strangers. Darlene, leading the training session, wouldn’t be satisfied with a mumbled and half-heard prayer. Instead, she forced Jorelang into reciting the prayer two more times – a tall order to be expected