International Organization for Migration - Micronesia

24/09/2026

24/09/2026

🌊Throughout Chuuk, families who lost their homes to are building temporary shelters as they wait for longer-term reconstruction.

With generous funding from the 🇺🇸U.S. Government, leadership from the 🇫🇲FSM Government, and implementation support from IOM, this initiative is providing construction materials and working alongside community members to build durable temporary shelters.

Each 20 x 12 foot shelter has a wooden frame covered with tarpaulins, giving families a protected space to live while they recover and rebuild from the devastating effects of the typhoon.

So far, 12 shelters have been constructed across in Chuuk Lagoon and and in the Northwest Region, providing support to 72 family members, with efforts underway to reach a total of 706 households as relief and recovery operations continue.

The work builds on a temporary shelter construction training held last month at the Chuuk Disaster Coordination Office , where participants learned basic carpentry, building practical construction skills.🛠️👷

The shelter design follows Sphere Standards, or internationally recognized humanitarian standards, but families can adapt and strengthen the structures using locally available materials and according to their own needs.

As recovery continues, these shelters provide families with a safe place to stay while they rebuild and look toward the future. 🏠💙

23/09/2026

22/09/2026

The 🇲🇭Republic of the Marshall Islands National Disaster Management Office, with funding from the 🇺🇸U.S. Government, and support from IOM, recently participated in a Training of Trainers on the Disaster Risk Management Information Management System (DRM-IMS) to strengthen national disaster information management capacity.

The practical training equipped NDMO focal points with skills to administer the platform, publish and manage content, issue alerts, maintain information on shelters and clusters, and support deployment planning📲📊.

Importantly, participants were also prepared to serve as resource persons and train future users across and partner agencies.

By building a pool of trained focal points, the initiative promotes local ownership and helps ensure reliable information is available to support coordination and decision-making before, during and after emergencies.

17/09/2026

🌊Typhoon Sinlaku response efforts continue across Chuuk State.

With support from the 🇺🇸U.S. Government and under the leadership of the 🇫🇲FSM Government, emergency relief assistance is reaching communities affected by
.

To date, 10,536 people have been reached with critical non-food items, including tarpaulins, shelter repair kits, kitchen sets, and water, sanitation and hygiene supplies. An additional 2,817 people have been reached with food assistance, including rice, canned goods, sugar, salt and oil.

Implemented by IOM in coordination with FSM - Emergency Management Division and Chuuk Disaster and Emergency Operation Center, the response will continue in the coming weeks, reaching all 4️⃣1️⃣ municipalities of Chuuk with similar support to help affected families meet urgent food and shelter needs.

16/09/2026

🧩🏫 Safer schools. Stronger shelters.

This week, IOM joined FSM - Emergency Management Division, FSM National Department of Education, Pohnpei Disaster Coordinating Office and development partners to launch the Safer Schools, Stronger Shelters project, generously supported by the 🇦🇺Government of Australia.

Through the initiative, IOM and partners will support the integration of climate change adaptation and disaster risk reduction into primary education, including through the development of learning materials and training for teachers and community representatives🧑‍🏫.

The project will also upgrade at least one school building that serves as an Emergency Evacuation Shelter and support local communities in its safe and effective use during emergencies🛠️.

We were honored to be joined at the launch by Governor Joseph, who shared candid reflections on the importance of ensuring improvements to school buildings are practical and appropriate to the local context.

🇫🇲🤝🇦🇺 We also greatly appreciated the presence and participation of the FSM DECEM Secretary F.J. Yatilman, Assistant Secretary Abigail Kim-Lambert and FSM National Department of Education Assistant Secretary Miyai Keller, alongside Australian Ambassador Jenny Grant and Second Secretary Josh Critchley-Evans, reflecting the strong partnership behind efforts to strengthen disaster preparedness and resilience in FSM.

Working closely with partners and communities, the project aims to ensure that preparedness starts early, solutions reflect local realities, and schools and communities are better equipped to withstand and respond to future hazards.

14/09/2026

It was a pleasure to welcome IOM Asia-Pacific Regional Director, Iori Kato, to the North Pacific during his recent visit to 🇵🇼Palau and the 🇫🇲Federated States of Micronesia.

From leading IOM’s engagements at the 55th Pacific Islands Forum Leaders Meeting in Palau to visiting Chuuk for high-level discussions, the visit was an important opportunity to strengthen partnerships and engage on the priorities of communities across the region.

Just as importantly, Regional Director Kato took time to meet with IOM colleagues and hear directly from our teams about their work, experiences and the realities of delivering across the North Pacific🌺!

10/09/2026

Two new initiatives officially kicked off yesterday, bringing government departments together to advance FSM’s migration policy priorities and translate them into practical action for citizens at home and abroad.

Under the leadership of the FSM Department of Justice, IOM will implement:
✅ Diaspora Research: Laying the Groundwork for Diaspora Engagement in the Federated States of Micronesia, funded by the IOM Development Fund (IOMDF) – building a better understanding of FSM nationals living abroad and exploring ways to strengthen their connections and contributions to FSM.

✅ Empowering Communities in FSM and FSM Nationals Travelling Abroad through the Promotion of Safe Migration Practices, funded by the United States Government – helping FSM citizens access practical information and resources to travel and migrate more safely and make informed decisions.

While the two projects have distinct objectives, they are closely connected. Together, they address different stages of the migration journey—from preparing to travel and migrate, through arrival and life abroad—while combining research and practical support to help government better understand the experiences of FSM nationals overseas and strengthen safer migration pathways.

The kick-off also provided an opportunity for Government representatives to exchange perspectives and begin shaping project activities that respond to the realities and needs of FSM citizens, families and communities, both at home and overseas.

04/09/2026

🌊 Turning regional partnerships into practical support for Pacific communities.

At the 55th Pacific Islands Forum Leaders Meeting in Palau, IOM strengthened cooperation with Pacific governments and regional partners on climate mobility, disaster preparedness and response, labour mobility, migration governance and resilient communities.

Led by IOM Regional Director for Asia and the Pacific Iori Kato, the delegation included Ewa Naqvi, Chief of Mission with Coordination Function for the North Pacific, and Solomon Kantha, Chief of Mission with Coordination Function for the South Pacific, alongside other IOM representatives from across the region.

🤝 A key milestone was the signing of a new Memorandum of Understanding between IOM and the Pacific Islands Forum Secretariat, providing a framework for closer cooperation and helping translate shared priorities under the 2050 Strategy for the Blue Pacific Continent into action at country and community level.

Throughout the week, IOM engaged with Pacific governments and regional organizations and attended the Ocean Partnership Roundtable, listening to Pacific leaders and partners on ocean, climate and development priorities.

From strengthening disaster preparedness and supporting communities affected by crises to advancing safer mobility and protecting livelihoods, IOM remains committed to Pacific-led partnerships and solutions that deliver for people and communities.

👉 Read the full press release: https://bit.ly/4idenzN

📸 Check out our photo gallery below!