 Ground Breaking ceremony for construction of National Emergency Operation CenterPalikir, Pohnpei (FSM Information Services): February 17, 2012 - President Manny Mori and Dr. Russell Howorth, director of the Applied Geoscience and Technology Division of the Secretariat of the Pacific Community, officiated in the ground breaking ceremony on February 17, marking the commencement of construction of the new national Emergency Operation Center at Palikir, National Capital. The new Emergency Operation Center is to be constructed by APSCO construction at a cost of about $220,000 which will assist the FSM Office of Environment and Emergency Management (OEEM) in disaster preparedness and coordination. This project is funded by the European Union through the Disaster Risk Reduction project implemented by the Secretariat of the Pacific Community. In his opening statement, Dr. Russel Howorth stated that "the objective is to build community resilience to reduce the risks to natural or man-made hazards. This project will also supply early warning equipment to National and State Governments including other key stakeholders to improve communication which will save lives and better coordinate relief efforts. Dr. Howorth also said that the renovation of Disaster Coordination Centers in all the States have recently been completed and assured the government of further support "to help develop and implement a Joint National Action Plan for Disaster Risk Management and Climate Change Adaptation". Mr. Andrew Yatilman, director of OEEM, after thanking the President and other witnesses of the ceremony, expressed his appreciation for the project and spoke briefly about its direct benefits in terms of the office's overall capacity in implementing its vital roles. The European Union provides a total of 1.4 million Euro to the Government of Federated States of Micronesia in the area of disaster management through this project. For further information, please contact the Office of Environment and Emergency Management at 320-8814/8815. |