FSM Ambassador to the U.S. Jackson Soram and Interior’s Assistant Secretary for Insular and International Affairs Carmen G. Cantor hold a ceremonial check for over $1 million.
FSM Ambassador to the U.S. Jackson Soram with Interior’s Assistant Secretary for Insular and International Affairs Carmen G. Cantor.
WASHINGTON, D.C. — The Department of the Interior’s Assistant Secretary for Insular and International Affairs Carmen G. Cantor on Thursday, July 11 announced $1,038,453 in Technical Assistance Program or TAP funding from the Office of Insular Affairs that will benefit the Federated States of Micronesia. The announcement came during a visit with FSM Ambassador Jackson Soram at the FSM Embassy in Washington. D.C.
“These projects will directly support and strengthen communities in the Federated States of Micronesia, creating opportunities for long-lasting impacts,” said Assistant Secretary Cantor. “This year’s TAP awards will support projects in various FSM communities including healthy reef management in Yap, trash recycling programs in Pohnpei, training healthcare workers in Chuuk, and strengthening indigenous learning at public schools in Kosrae and Pohnpei.”
Four TAP grants, totaling $1,038,453 will serve communities in each of the four states in the FSM through the following projects:
• $413,292 to One People One Reef for a Project to Bridge Sustainable Reef and Healthy Community Management in Ulithi Atoll, in Yap State;
• $264,994 to Catholic Relief Services for the Communities Recycle – Empowering Artisans, Transforming Environments Project, a trash recycling-business initiative in Pohnpei State;
• $183,382 to ROSE Initiatives for a Simulation Center for Longitudinal Training of Healthcare Providers at the Chuuk State Hospital, in Chuuk State; and
• $176,785 to Pacific Resources for Education and Learning for Indigenous Learning Recovery Projects, in Pohnpei and Kosrae State.
The Federated States of Micronesia and other insular areas also received support from $3.8 million in TAP funding which was announced in April 2024, and included support for:
• Participation in the Close Up Foundation and Junior State Foundation programs for students from the U.S. territories and the freely associated states;
• The EPA Circuit Rider program which provides for water quality technical support and laboratory certification programs in the freely associated states;
• Prior Service Administration benefits for retirees who were formerly employed during the U.S. administration of the Trust Territory of the Pacific Islands; and
• Membership in the Western Interstate Commission or WICHE for American Samoa, the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands, Guam, the Federated States of Micronesia, the Republic of the Marshall Islands, and the Republic of Palau which reduces costs for students from insular areas at postsecondary institutions in the WICHE network.
Funding assistance provided through the TAP program stand as a testament to the continued support that the United States provides for the people of the Federated States of Micronesia beyond the Compact of Free Association.
About the OIA
The Assistant Secretary for Insular and International Affairs and the Office of Insular Affairs carry out the Secretary of the Interior’s responsibilities for the U.S. territories of American Samoa, Guam, the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands, and the U.S. Virgin Islands. Additionally, OIA administers and oversees federal assistance under the Compacts of Free Association to the Federated States of Micronesia, the Republic of the Marshall Islands, and the Republic of Palau. OIA also administers a discretionary Technical Assistance Program for all the Insular Areas. Find information about OIA and its work on www.doi.gov/oia, Facebook, X, and YouTube.
