A preliminary damage assessment report was sent to the National Emergency Task Force detailing the damage of the Upper Mortlock Islands of Nema, Pis Emwar, and Losap.
The report stated that all of the islands in the Upper Mortlocks were affected by salt water.
On Losap, 95 percent of the taro, 90 percent of the breadfruit, and 90 percent of the bananas were sprayed.
On Pis Emwar, 85 percent of the taro, 70 percent of the breadfruit, and 65 percent of banana were affected, and on Nama, 80 percent of the taro, 75 percent of the breadfruit and 65 percent of the banana and other crops were sprayed with sea water.
On Jan. 5, Caroline Voyager departed Pohnpei to the Southern Islands of Pohnpei to deliver emergency relief and to allow the Joint FSM/US/State Preliminary Damage Assessment Team to these islands as the first part of the President Emergency Relief Plan.
On Jan. 10, the Caroline Voyager returned from the islands of Ngatik, Nukuoro, Kapingamarangi, and Oroluk.
The PDA Team reported that Nukuoro and Kepingamaragi were affected by the tidal surge and 75 percent of the taro, 77 percent of the breadfruit, 55 percent of the banana, 12 percent of the coconut and 10 percent of the other crops were sprayed with sea water.
On Oroluk Island, 50 percent of the taro was damaged and Sapwafik had no damage to its crops.
The proposed schedule for assessment by the Joint PDA Team in the Eastern Islands of Pohnpei, Chuuk Lagoon Islands and Kosrae State are as follows:
1. Mwoakilloa and Pingelap — Jan. 14
2. Faichuuk Area and Southern Namoneas Islands — Jan. 15
3. Kosrae – Jan. 14-17
Information from these assessment teams should be made available as soon as the reports are filed.
The national government has received a pledge for additional funding for the relief efforts from the Australian government that will provide U$50,000 in immediate emergency assistance to each of the Federated States of Micronesia and the Republic of the Marshall Islands, in response to tidal surges and storms that have inundated the low-lying islands.
