SUVA, Fiji Islands: July 10, 2002 - The Federated States of Micronesia has received FJ$ 20,000 (US$ 9,396) from the Regional Natural Disaster Relief Fund, to assist with relief efforts following Tropical Storm Chata'an.

The President of the Federated States of Micronesia, HE Leo A. Falcam, declared a state of emergency last week in the state of Chuuk, after the storm left nearly 50 people dead and caused widespread damage.

The Regional Natural Disaster Relief Fund was established in 1975 by Forum Island Countries (Cook Islands, Federated States of Micronesia, Fiji, Kiribati, Nauru, Niue, Palau, Papua New Guinea, Republic of Marshall Islands, Samoa, Solomon Islands, Tonga, Tuvalu and Vanuatu).

The fund is administered by the Forum Secretariat and provides a modest source of financial relief in the wake of natural disasters in the Forum Island Countries

For further information please contact:

Ulafala Aiavao
Media Adviser
Forum Secretariat
Private Bag
Suva, Fiji

Tel: (679) 3220 220;
Mob: (679) 9998 674;
Fax: (679) 3305 554

e-mail: UlafalaA@forumsec.org.fj