U.S. assistance to FSM on COVID-19
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- Category: News
- Published: Thursday, 23 April 2020 23:04
- Written by Bill Jaynes
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Embassy of the
United States of America Kolonia
The U.S. government and Embassy Kolonia continues to work closely with the government of the Federated States of Micronesia (FSM) to prepare for and respond to the COVID-19 pandemic. U.S. Embassy Kolonia is closely coordinating with U.S. interagency partners including the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), USAID, the Department of Interior and U.S. Indo-Pacific Command (INDOPACOM). The U.S. response in the Pacific Island countries is currently prioritizing the Federated States of Micronesia (FSM) —with whom we have a uniquely close relationship rooted in the Compacts of Free Association and longstanding public health programs.
Preparedness and Emergency Response: For many years, the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has engaged with FSM to develop and continuously refine emergency response plans. Now the lead agency on U.S. COVID-19 response, CDC is in frequent communication with the FSM Department of Health to determine needs and provide guidance and assistance. CDC also leads a weekly call with health care professionals in the U.S. Pacific territories and the FSM. Currently, CDC is collaborating with WHO colleagues and others in the region to help the FSM adapt and apply their existing national response plans for the current COVID-19 threat. CDC is providing technical assistance and developing additional funding options to support established regional mechanisms for infectious disease response.
Testing: The United States through CDC is supporting COVID-19 testing for the FSM. In addition to CDC’s laboratory in Atlanta, Hawaii’s state public health laboratory and the Guam Public Health Laboratory are now available to serve the COVID-19 testing needs of FSM. CDC is currently acting to supply additional test kits to support increased testing demands in Guam.
Supplemental Funding: The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) received a share of the U.S. government’s recent $8.3 billion supplemental funding package for coronavirus-related research and assistance. The following amounts have been made available to the Pacific territories and FAS to support their response to COVID-19: American Samoa ($370,246.50), Guam ($479,431.80), Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands ($369,765.90), RMI ($367,754.40), FSM ($420,402.60), and Palau ($336,793.50).
Personal Protective Equipment: The FSM is eligible to receive allocations of personal protective equipment (PPE) from the strategic national stockpile managed by HHS/Office of the Assistant Secretary for Preparedness and Response (ASPR).
Donor Coordination: U.S. Embassy Kolonia and U.S. interagency partners are coordinating with like-minded partners including [Australia, New Zealand and Japan], Pacific Islands Health Officers Association (PIHOA), and the World Health Organization (WHO) to address requests for personal protective equipment (PPE), medical supplies, testing, and technical assistance. The U.S. government has provided longstanding public health assistance to the people and government of FSM.
