The U.S. Department of the Interior’s Office of Insular Affairs has announced $1,498,866 in fiscal year 2022 Technical Assistance Program (TAP) and Maintenance Assistance Program (MAP) grant funding that will benefit the Republic of the Marshall Islands through local governments, the local utility, and a non-governmental organization.
“Funds will support one of the RMI’s national strategic goals, which is to provide access to safe drinking water and safe sanitation systems, in this case Wotje and Maloelap, two atolls that are far from the RMI capitol,” said Deputy Assistant Secretary for Insular and International Affairs Keone Nakoa. “Funds will also support cultural and vocational training for youth, rebuild the Red Cross building in Majuro, and support training for grant writing and grant reporting for funds from the federal government and other sources.”
The Technical Assistance Program grants totaling $750,000 for fiscal year 2022 will be provided as follows:
- $239,500 – Wotje Atoll Local Government to acquire solar water desalination systems for the drought-prone atoll that has no natural sources of fresh water beyond rain.
- $200,500 – Maloelap Atoll Local Government to acquire prefabricated sanitary toilets for 137 households and provide access to safe and improved sanitation for the atoll community.
- $200,000 – Department of Finance to provide training for government and non-government officials in grant writing and grant management training for all federal government and other funding sources.
- $110,000 – Waan Aelon in Majel (Canoes of the Marshall Islands) non-profit organization that promotes canoe building and sailing, promoting traditional skills retention and cultural practices among Marshallese youth.
- $390,122 – Marshall Islands Red Cross Society to remodel the existing Red Cross building and provide space for emergency training. The remodeled building will continue to serve as an evacuation center in case of emergencies or King Tides.
- $358,744 – Majuro Atoll Waste Company for the acquisition of a garbage truck.
The Assistant Secretary of Insular and International Affairs and the Office of Insular Affairs (OIA) carry out the Secretary of the Interior’s responsibilities for the U.S. territories of American Samoa, Guam, the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands, and the U.S. Virgin Islands. Additionally, OIA administers and oversees federal assistance under the Compacts of Free Association to the Federated States of Micronesia, the Republic of the Marshall Islands, and the Republic of Palau. OIA also administers a discretionary Technical Assistance Program for all the Insular Areas. Find information about OIA and its work on www.doi.gov/oia
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