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Drought food distribution begins in Marshalls

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Islas Marshall
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PINA
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Distribution of drought relief food to remote outer islands in the Marshall Islands started this week, with the government vessel MV Kwajalein being loaded with thousands of pounds of food for a Thursday departure to 10 atolls and two single islands.

A total of 4,747 people living on remote islands will receive supplemental food supplies paid for by the U.S. Agency for International Development:

  • “Moderately” affected islands will receive 120 days worth of food assistance: Aur Atoll, Likiep Atoll, Ujae Atoll, Lae Atoll, Jabot island.
  • “Severely” affected islands will receive 210 days worth of food assistance: Rearalaplap in Arno Atoll, Maloelap Atoll, Wotje Atoll, Mejit Island, Ailuk Atoll, Wotho Atoll, and Ebadon and Carlson Islands in Kwajalein Atoll.

Most of these islands are in the northern part of the Marshall Islands, which continues to experience drought. The El Nino-caused drought started late last year.

“The supplemental food is meant to provide relief for what has been lost in the drought event that caused a decline in locally available foods and income generating methods,” said Angela Saunders, who heads the International Organisation for Migration office in Majuro, which is handling the current food distribution to the outer islands for USAID. “It is meant to get people through hard times and not disrupt local businesses as much as possible.”

She said all of the food being shipped this week to the outer islands has been bought through local vendors. Supplemental food includes rice, low sodium mixed vegetables, mixed fruit no sugar added, and cooking oil.

Earlier this year, the Marshall Islands government requested the U.S. Embassy to provide sector experts to work with the Marshall Islands National Disaster Management Office and IOM to conduct a joint preliminary damage assessment of drought impacts on the outer islands. “After 10 intense days in the field, visiting 16 atolls and islands, it was determined that there has been widespread, yet varied and nuanced, crop damage across the nation with the worst affects taking place in the most northern atolls and islands,” said Saunders.

“We have worked very closely with the NDMO office, and will continue to work closely with their office and the partners to ensure that we have a well coordinated response that is targeted and assisting people to get back to their pre-disaster situation. For example, on this trip to the outer islands, the government will be providing a supplement to the food basket provided by IOM, and NDMO staff will join the distribution with communities.”

SOURCE: MARIANAS VARIETY/PACNEWS