Government of the Federated States of Micronesia

Pohnpei Governor Requested Assistance of FSM National Government

PALIKIR, Pohnpei (FSM Information Service): May 07, 1997 –
FSM Acting President Jacob Nena directed Bermin Weilbacher, Director
of the Office of Planning and Statistics (OPS) and Chutomu Nimwes,
Special Assistant to the President on Disaster and Special Programs
in a special meeting held on May 1, 1997, to request donations of
clothing, furniture, kitchenware, uncooked food and other materials
for the victims of the Iohl and Oumor landslides and that such
donations be brought to the Office of the President’s for delivery to
Pohnpei State’s Emergency Operation Center at Peilapalap, according
to a May 1, 1997 letter by the National Planner.

Responding to his call, employees of the National Government
donated sacks of rice, canned goods, utensils, other food stuff and
materials which were delivered and presented by FSM Attorney General
Camillo Noket, Esq., Special Assistant to the Vice President Josaiah
Waguk and a number of FSM employees. The donations were delivered
Friday evening, May 2, 1997, to the State Disaster Coordinating
Officers at Pohnpei Governor’s Office. And in response to Pohnpei
Governor Del Pangelinan’s request for assistance from the FSM
National Government, Acting President Jacob Nena stated that the FSM
Government has set-aside $100,000 to assist Pohnpei State in
defraying disaster-related expenses, as provided by law.

In an April 29, 1997 Press Release, Pangelinan said that he will
submit a formal request to the FSM National Government for financial
assistance to pay for personnel, equipment and relief for the victims
of the landslide, flooding and damage caused by Tropical Storm Jimmy
and Typhoon Isa which struck Pohnpei on April 12 to 13, and on April
19 and 20, 1997, respectively.

The release also stated that USDA soil analyst Phil Giles toured
the landslide areas in Oumor and Iohl on April 27, 1997, found that
additional sliding occurred after heavy rainfall and the danger of
landslides continue to exist. However, it was then determined that
official search effort could resume on April 28, 1997.

Governor Pangelinan has requested Acting President Nena to request
technical assistance from the United States in providing a geological
survey of the island to determine areas which are prone to hazardous
landslides. Such a survey is needed in order to advise the public of
areas which are hazardous and where building constructions should not
occur.

As of high noon on May 2, 1997, all eight individuals listed as
missing as a result of the April 20, 1997, landslide in Oumor village
in Sokehs Municipality have been recovered and have been given decent
burials.

On April 30, 1997, the remains of the 12-years old male Lucas
Kirielmo was recovered in the Iohl landslide and was buried. Official
search ended at 4:30 P.M., Friday, May 2, 1997, for 7 year old
Senoleen Kirielmo, the only remaining missing victim, according to
telephone information from Pohnpei States Office of Emergency
Coordination.