13 May 2013: The project titled ‘Ridge to Reef – Community to Catchment’, which is funded by the Global Environment Facility’s (GEF) ‘Implementing Sustainable Water Resources and Wastewater Management in Pacific Island Countries’ project (GEF Pacific IWRM Project), has reported improved national coordination in the water and sanitation sectors and enhanced community involvement in water resource management in the Pohnpei and Chuuk states, part of the Federated States of Micronesia (FSM).

The GEF reports that the GEF Pacific IWRM Project in the FSM has achieved the following results: the establishment of the National Water Task Force; the endorsement of the first framework National Water and Sanitation Policy; the increase in land protection; the support of educational campaigns; and the reduction by around 70% of forest clearing.

On water, the project allowed better mapping of pollutants and public awareness, which permitted, for example, to undertake a baseline sanitation and pollutant assessment of three major river systems in Nett. Overall, the protection of marine and freshwaters is improved and the population has better access to drinking water.

The GEF Pacific IWRM Project is funded by the GEF and executed by the Pacific Islands Applied Geoscience Commission (SOPAC) in cooperation with 14 Pacific Island countries (PICs). [Publication: Ridge to Reef: Protecting Water Quality from Source to Sea] [GEF Pacific IWRM Project Website]