Federated States of Micronesia National Disaster Management Plan 2025 – ReliefWeb

National Disaster Management Framework: Aligning with Sustainable Development Goals

1.0 Strategic Purpose and Policy Alignment

A national plan has been established to define the institutional arrangements for the government of the Federated States of Micronesia (FSM) concerning emergency and disaster management. This framework is a critical instrument for advancing the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) by building national resilience.

• Core Objective: To create a robust national structure for preparing for, responding to, and mitigating the impacts of emergency and disaster events.
• SDG 11 (Sustainable Cities and Communities): The plan directly contributes to Target 11.b by implementing a holistic national disaster risk reduction strategy, safeguarding communities and infrastructure.
• SDG 13 (Climate Action): By establishing arrangements for monitoring and preparedness, the plan strengthens resilience and adaptive capacity to climate-related hazards, a key component of climate action.
• Scope of Arrangements: The framework encompasses preparedness, mitigation, event monitoring, and response coordination at the national level, while also guiding state-level disaster plans and integrating international support mechanisms, thereby supporting SDG 17 (Partnerships for the Goals).

2.0 Governance and Institutional Framework

The plan’s authority and operational structure are grounded in national legislation, ensuring accountable and effective governance in line with SDG 16.

• Legal Mandate: The plan is formulated under the authority of the Disaster Relief Assistance Act 1989, specifically Section 707, subsection (3). It also sets minimum requirements for state-level plans as per Section 707, subsection (2).
• Presidential Authority: The plan has been formally approved and promulgated by the President of the Federated States of Micronesia.
• Institutional Strengthening (SDG 16): The establishment of the National Disaster Committee (NDC) under this plan creates an effective, accountable, and inclusive institution (Target 16.6) dedicated to managing disaster risk and response at the national level.

3.0 Plan Maintenance and Continuous Improvement

A structured process for the plan’s review and amendment ensures its continued relevance and effectiveness, reflecting a commitment to adaptive and resilient governance.

1. Amendment Process: The National Disaster Committee is authorized to adjust the plan and issue amendments as required. Substantive adjustments necessitate presidential approval.
2. Periodic Review: A comprehensive review of the entire plan is mandated to be conducted by the National Disaster Committee at intervals not exceeding five years.
3. Formal Approval: Following each five-year review, the updated plan must be submitted to the President for re-approval, ensuring sustained high-level commitment and institutional accountability in pursuit of long-term resilience goals.

SDGs Addressed in the Article

• SDG 11: Sustainable Cities and Communities
• SDG 13: Climate Action
• SDG 16: Peace, Justice and Strong Institutions
• SDG 17: Partnerships for the Goals

Identified SDG Targets

SDG 11: Sustainable Cities and Communities

1. Target 11.5: By 2030, significantly reduce the number of deaths and the number of people affected and substantially decrease the direct economic losses relative to global gross domestic product caused by disasters, including water-related disasters, with a focus on protecting the poor and people in vulnerable situations.
   • Explanation: The article’s central theme is the creation of a national plan for “preparing and responding to emergency and disaster events.” The ultimate goal of such a plan, which includes preparedness, mitigation, and response, is to minimize the human and economic impact of disasters, directly aligning with this target.
2. Target 11.b: By 2020, substantially increase the number of cities and human settlements adopting and implementing integrated policies and plans towards inclusion, resource efficiency, mitigation and adaptation to climate change, resilience to disasters, and develop and implement, in line with the Sendai Framework for Disaster Risk Reduction 2015-2030, holistic disaster risk management at all levels.
   • Explanation: The article explicitly describes the development and maintenance of a national disaster management plan for the Federated States of Micronesia. This plan represents a direct implementation of a “holistic disaster risk management” policy at the national level, as called for by this target.

SDG 13: Climate Action

1. Target 13.1: Strengthen resilience and adaptive capacity to climate-related hazards and natural disasters in all countries.
   • Explanation: The plan’s focus on “preparedness, mitigation, monitoring for potential events and response” is a core strategy for strengthening a nation’s resilience and its ability to adapt to natural disasters, many of which are climate-related hazards.

SDG 16: Peace, Justice and Strong Institutions

1. Target 16.6: Develop effective, accountable and transparent institutions at all levels.
   • Explanation: The article details the creation of formal institutional arrangements for disaster management. It states that the plan “establishes the National Disaster Committee (NDC)” under the authority of the “Disaster Relief Assistance Act 1989.” This action is a clear example of building an effective and accountable institution to manage a critical national function.

SDG 17: Partnerships for the Goals

1. Target 17.16: Enhance the Global Partnership for Sustainable Development, complemented by multi-stakeholder partnerships that mobilize and share knowledge, expertise, technology and financial resources, to support the achievement of the sustainable development goals in all countries, in particular developing countries.
   • Explanation: The article mentions that the plan “includes provisions for accessing international support.” This directly relates to the principle of leveraging international partnerships to enhance national capacity and achieve development goals, including disaster resilience.

Indicators for Measuring Progress

Indicators for Targets 11.b and 13.1

1. Indicator: The existence and formal adoption of a national disaster management plan.
   • Explanation: The article provides direct evidence of this indicator by stating, “This Plan has been prepared under the Disaster Relief Assistance Act 1989” and “has been approved by and promulgated by the President.” The existence of this official document is a primary indicator of progress towards having a national disaster risk reduction strategy.
2. Indicator: The establishment and functioning of a dedicated national institution for disaster management.
   • Explanation: The article implies this indicator by noting that the “Plan establishes the National Disaster Committee (NDC).” The creation and operational status of this committee serve as a measurable sign of institutional capacity for disaster management.
3. Indicator: A process for regular review and updating of the national plan.
   • Explanation: The article specifies that the plan “is to be reviewed by the National Disaster Committee at intervals not exceeding five years.” This mandated review cycle is an implied indicator that measures the commitment to keeping the disaster management strategy current and effective over time.

Summary Table of SDGs, Targets, and Indicators

Source: reliefweb.int