MCT holds project system workshop with local partners

Wayne Andrew from Palau and Christina Stinnett from Chuuk during day 2 of the workshop

CCS May 4, 2017:  The Micronesia Conservation Trust (MCT) completed a 2-day workshop that brought together around ten local partners from all over Micronesia, including the Chuuk Conservation Society, the Chuuk Women Council, the Conservation Society of Pohnpei, the Kosrae Conservation and Safety Organization, the Yap Community Action Program, the Palau Conservation Society, the Marshall Islands Conservation Society and few few others.

With administrative help from the Nature Conservancy and the University of Guam Marine Lab, MCT organized the interactive workshop to enhance project systems that have guided the various components in the administration of project grants among its grantees over the years. Internal changes in the organization catalyzed in most part by the recruitment of highly professional staff in finance as well as the monitoring and evaluation sections, has affected its subgrantees in significant ways. By interfacing around the table to discuss system changes and roll out enhanced reporting requirements, the big conservation network in the region hopes to elevate institutional integrity, effectiveness, and success-boosting prospects.

According to Mr. Anthony Hele, monitoring and evaluation expert, relevant MCT personnel will conduct follow up visits to all the partner organizations during the June/July timeframe to deepen compliance and address other specific needs separately.

Mr. Charles Meeme, MCT CFO, presenting on improved financial reporting system

According to Mr. Willy Kostka, Director of MCT, the gathering also coincided with a significant concluding moment worth celebrating. When conservation was only a strange ambition for a very few individuals more than twenty years ago, the David and Lucile Packard Foundation was one of the few pioneering donor partners whose vital support helped propelled such unpopular movement. A few representatives of the foundation made themselves available on a trip that marked Packard Foundation's last appearance in Micronesia. At least for the foreseeable future. Hence, the workshop, which was funded by the foundation itself, also served as a time to bid farewell and celebrate the twenty years of productive partnership with the Packard Foundation. The foundation has had decided to cease operations in Micronesia.

As a spin-off for most participants, the Pohnpei meeting also provided opportunities to work on peculiar needs with MCT, undertake visits with offices in Pohnpei, and, for some, take a break from ordinary home-tasks.

Participants begin to return home on Friday.

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Combined response efforts for Maysak victims in Chuuk underway

members of nine affected families on Fanapanges Island receive food and hygiene items from Red Cross and IOM representatives, who were assisted by Chuuk police officers on a dock close to the Fanapanges Elementary School property.

These two days, a joint mission has been underway by officials and volunteers from the Federated States of Micronesia National Government, the Chuuk State Disaster Coordination Office, the Red Cross Society, the International Office of Migration (IOM) -- which administers assistance from the United States AID Agency, and the Chuuk Women Council (CWC). This joint mission was made possible through the support of the FSM Maritime Surveillance patrol boat, the FSS Independence currently operating in Chuuk.

 

On April 17th and 18th, hygienic materials, mosquito nets and repellents, as well as food and liquid intake items were delivered to over thirty displaced families on the islands of Polle, Paata, Onei, Fanapanges, Udot and Eot in the Faichuk region.

 

In addition, this trips also enabled further inspection of damaged public infrastructures and the assessment of food crops conducted by relevant department staff from the FSM National Government.

 

coming back from Polle, Paata, Onei the evening of April 17th, a group of female volunteers and inspector, including Jennifer Killion (IOM) and Karen Wonders, FSM Program Management Unit. Photo taken at the Transco dock.

 

 

Health personnel from Chuuk State also took advantage of the trip on April 17th and went out in separate teams to the Faichuk and Southern Namoneas regions on the 18th.

 

Residents and municipal officials of the islands of Parem, Siis, Uman, Eot and Fanapanges highlighted varying degree of water issues currently being felt or that are anticipated in the very near future. The IOM has been very busy in this area, working on a water transport barge and bringing in tanks and water containers that can be used for water transport or given to affected communities.

 

The response efforts continue amid logistical and financial challenges with support from relatives outside of Chuuk and many generous donors from abroad, including Guam and the Northern Marinas.

 

 

April 16th Maysak response activities, Chuuk

The FSS Independence and IOM contracted barge off the western side Parem Island

Today was a truly busy active day.

1. Ms. Chief Mailo was able to  leave for the Southern Namoneas islands of Tonoas, Fefen and Uman taking with her hundreds of sacks of rice to distribute to affected families.

water tanks provided under USAID assistance

2. The International Office of Migration (IOM), using a locally furnished  barge, delivered drinkable water along with tanks to the islands of Parem and Siis. Both islands indeed are having clean water issues as their water sources have been contaminated. The barge is fitted to pump large amount of water efficiently and can move around in rough weather.

3. The FSS Independence assisted in taking rice and canned meats to Parem and Siis. Once it reached the islands, the State personnel and volunteers turned the assistance over to the Mayors and village chiefs. Assessments of food crop, taro patches, and public infrastructure facilities were also conducted by FSM National Government staff.

4. A cargo ship arrived in Chuuk today. It is easy to run out of store-sold food these days, including chicken, rice and canned meats.

5. Young boy on Parem Island helps with the receiving of rice from the main dock, to the meeting hall where the Mayor and other residents undertake the distribution process.