Efforts underway to get relief to FSM islands in wake of Maysak

Transcript

Efforts are underway in Federated States of Micronesia to get relief to devastated islands hit by typhoon Maysak.

Maysak has been downgraded from its super-typhoon status and is weakening as it head towards The Philippines.

The Director of the FSM's Office of Environment and Emergency Management, Andrew Yatilman, has confirmed five people died in Chuuk state and the national government is waiting for more information from state officials in Yap.

He told Sally Round they sent a plane out this morning to check on the islands of Ulithi and Fais which also took the brunt of the storm.

ANDREW YATILMAN: We haven't received any reports of injuries, fatalities from Yap, and hopefully there was none, but for Chuuk, yes. There were also a number of injuries but they've been treated at the hospital. They did not give us the exact number but they said that a good number of people were injured from fallen debris, or flying debris, or their houses fell down on them.

SALLY ROUND: What is the situation regarding assistance that you're seeking from outside the country?

AY: Yesterday I sent a request for assistance to UNOCHA (United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs) in Suva, essentially conveying the FSM government's request for international assistance. Also we've done our own internal response. The president of the FSM has mobilised internal resources as early as Monday to respond to some of the immediate needs in some of the islands in Chuuk state. So we've got one patrol boat in Chuuk right now delivering water and some essential needs like blankets, kitchen sets and some other things that our Micronesian Red Cross was able to put together to load on one of our patrol boats. Our FSM Telecommunications Corporation also put on some equipment to make sure that their system in Chuuk is up and running fully.

SR: And as far as Yap goes?

AY: For Yap, the President has talked with the Lieutenant Governor of Yap yesterday offering the national government's assistance so we're awaiting further word from Yap as to how the national government can respond effectively. Tonight we will send one patrol boat also to also send a team of assessors to proceed to Yap to assist state officials.

SR: And will that patrol boat be carrying any sort of aid at all?

AY: Based on preliminary reports we have had over the radio, some of those islands have reported also damages or destruction to the food crops and especially water sources so yes we will be carrying some water supplies. Food - we are looking at doing that also but we need a little bit more information from them but we are prepared to assist the efforts of Chuuk state and Yap state in terms of delivering food to the affected people as needed.