The U.S. and the Federated States of Micronesia (FSM) have a close and unique relationship underpinned by the Compact of Free Association (COFA) agreement. USAID’s programs in FSM address environment and climate change challenges, disaster preparedness, fisheries, health, and democracy and governance. USAID works closely with the Micronesian government organizations, non-government organizations, multilateral agencies, and the private sector towards shared development goals.

Priorities

Democracy and Governance and Economic Growth

The United States, through USAID, works with Australia and Japan to improve internet connectivity by providing funding to build a new undersea cable that will connect Kosrae in FSM, Nauru, and Tarawa in Kiribati with the existing HANTRU-1 cable at Pohnpei in FSM, providing internet connectivity through a submarine cable for the first time. With an estimated cost of $95 million, inclusive of capital works, project management, and technical assistance, the proposed undersea cable will provide faster, higher quality, and more reliable and secure communications to approximately 100,000 people across the FSM, Kiribati, and Nauru. This will support increased economic growth, drive development opportunities, and help to improve living standards as the region recovers from the severe impacts of COVID-19. USAID is helping to sustain peace and stability in the FSM by promoting democratic values and good governance. USAID works with the national and state governments, non-governmental organizations, civil society organizations, and women’s groups to promote open, transparent, and peaceful elections.

Environment and Climate Change

USAID bolsters the human and institutional capacity of Micronesian communities, non-governmental organizations, civil society, governments, and regional institutions to adapt to the effects of climate change. USAID’s community-level activities serve as models for replication and scale-up by national governments, regional institutions, and other donors and stakeholders. Through the Climate Ready project, USAID mobilized over US$26.6 million in climate finance for large and small adaptation projects through FSM-based Micronesia Conservation Trust (MCT) and strengthened the capacity of MCT to access climate finance through accreditation, proposal preparation and organization development support.

Disaster Preparedness

USAID is strengthening the resources and systems that the FSM needs to prepare for and address the effects of climate change and disasters.

Health

Micronesian communities have suffered greatly from COVID-19, and USAID provided support to the FSM since the beginning of the pandemic. USAID provided technical assistance to vaccine deployment efforts and procurement of emergency commodities and supplies.

Cross-Cutting

USAID bolsters the capacity of local civil society organizations in the Pacific to address the second order impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic and supports communities to increase their resilience to disasters and climate risks, enhance their livelihoods, increase food security, and improve access to water.