The President of the Federated States of Micronesia is preparing a letter requesting the United States President Barack Obama to directly help the country's relief effort following Typhoon Maysak.
Typhoon Maysak causes widespread damage in the Federated States of Micronesia Photo: Micronesia Red Cross Society
The FSM government is appealing to President Obama to declare a State of Emergency in the country which would allow federal resources to flow into the country under its Compact arrangement with the US.
The Director of FSM's Emergency Management Office Andrew Yatilman says the appeal comes after the completion of damage assessments by the US Federal Emergency Management Authorities and USaid which validated the initial assessment of local authorities as to the extent of the damage.
"Its good news for the FSM if the US President declares a state of disaster because this would mean that we would have additional resources which are beyond our means to be able to respond to the disaster."
Damage caused by Typhoon Maysak in Ulithi, Yap, Federated States of Micronesia Photo: Brad Holland / FSM Office of Environment and Emergency Management
Andrew Yatilman says his staff are working with the President's office to get the letter signed and sent today in the hope that the next phase of relief response can benefit from considerable input from the States.