MISSION 2009: Group 7
MICRONESIA: GOVERNMENT, POLITICS, INTERNATIONAL RELATIONS,
DISEASE CONTROL, MEDICINE, TSUNAMI PREPAREDNESS

Articles

Anonymous, (Jan 2005), Rapid health response, assessment, and surveillance after a tsunami - Thailand, 2004-2005,
Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report, 54, 3, p. 61-64
This article discusses the aftermath of the Thailand tsunami and basically outlines what happened (what worked and what didn't)
which will help us in our plan for Micronesia. Discusses which factors caused operations to slow down, but also
highlights the good aspects, creating a fairly good guide for us to follow.

CDC, (1996), International (Micronesia): World Health Organization targets ares for disease prevention (NAICS: 923120), p.13-14
This article discusses the WHO's plans/actions in disease prevention in Micronesia, which will be useful as we need
to have a plan for the spreading of medication (disease prevention) in the event of a tsunami. Though the article
focuses on mainly past problems, like the Vitamin A deficiency in Micronesian children, it also talks about medication
distribution in the future. This ties in to the other two articles on Medicine...

CDC & FDA, (Jul 2004), Disaster planning; Pacific officials discuss how to cope with disaster
Atlanta, GE: p. 23
This article focuses on how the CDC, the Center of Disease Control, worked to help Micronesia and other Pacific
island nations after natural disasters. Though it focuses mainly on other islands, the information is pretinant
as it discusses the distirbution of medicine and the need for an organized system in the aftermath of a natural
disaster of this magnigtude.

Dobell, G., (2003), The South Pacific: Policy taboos, popular amnseia and political failure
The Menzies Research Centre Lecure Series. Canberra
This lengthy article describes Austrialian Foreign Policy with the Pacific Islands and how it will play a more influential role
in the future. On Micronesia specifically, it discusses political stability (in a large part due to religion), optimism as to
an economic future, foreign defence (Australia does not directly protect Micronesia, though the US does), etc.
This information means that in the event of a tsunami, Australia would more than likely be very willing to assist
if for no other reason than to become more firmly involved in Pacific Island politics. Australia then becomes
a possible safe-haven if it is necessary to evacuate an island.

Farmer, G., (2003), Development of a lightweight, portable, recyclable emergency shelter unit
Florida International University
This article discusses a lightweight, cost-effective emergency shelter that could be a solution for emergency relief
and temporary housing in the event of a tsunami. The housing is easy to assemble and fits up to two people.
The shelters last about 3 months (90 days) afterwhich they can be completely recycled, meaning that there would be
no waste, which is good as there would be enough environmental problems as it is...

Feizkhah, E., (Jun 2001), Dateline-Strategy: Making friends, Asiaweek, p.1
This article is about China gaining allies in the Pacific Islands by giving lots to the islands (and getting a
bunch back in return). China gains fishing rights while Micronesia gains electronics and other "modern" comforts.
Micronesia got some cargo boats out of the deal.

Hinwood, J., (Jul 2005), Design for tsunamis - Coastal engineering considerations
Structural Engineering International, 15, 3, p. 189-193
This article discusses modeling tsunami behavior, which would be helpful when considering a plan for evacuation.
Though the article focuses on structural solutions to limit deaths, it also discusses estimating wave height/
forces/wave pressure, which will be good when we develop a system to determine areas that are "high risk."

International Trade Canada (ITCan), (Oct 1998), Canada and the world backgrounder, Waterloo. 64, 2, p.2
This article is really just a bunch of statistics which show that Canada is one of the big traders with Micronesia,
though the US and China play a much bigger role and would probably be better off to help in the
event of a tsunami.

Mearian, L., (Aug 2005), Disaster notification tools get a boost, Computerworld, 39, 33, p.13
This article discusses the advances in technology for tsunami/earthquake detection. Basically, the "buggy system"
gets an overhaul because earthquakes threaten tsunami; the West Coast & Alaska Tsunami Warning Center, and the
people, want to be ready in the event of such a natural disaster. Some of the systems in place, like mass-email,
can also be used by corporations.

Meller, N., (Nov 1990), The Micronesian executive: The Federated States of Micronesia, Kiribati, and the Marshall Islands,
Pacific Studies, 14, 1
This is a great paper on the Executive branch. Although that is the focus, it also highlights the fact that most
Pacific Island nations are very firmly rooted in indigenous tradition in everyday life. Also stresses how there
is insufficient area in which to cultivate an economy (which is the reason that US grants make up the largest
percentage of the Micronesian economy). The article touches on a lot, but gives insight to the workings of the
govenment, and as 66% of the Micronesian population works for the govenment, that is quite pertinant.

Norton, S., Telemedicine in Micronesia, Telemedicine Journal, p.81-90
This article describes the remoteness of Micronesia and the issues involved with medical treatment; basically, this is relevant
because Micronesia is so spread out that we will run into the problems. Basically, this focuses on the problems
associated with the distribution of medicine in general, which means that it would be even worse after a tsunami.
However, like in the CDC's article on pacific island medicine, the importance of such a system is stressed.


Rainbird, P., & Wilson, M., (Sep 2002), Crossing the line: The enveloped cross in Pohnpei, Federated States of Micronesia,
Antiquity, 76, 293, p. 635-636
This article brings to attention the fact that Micronesia has many ancient carved stones which are an integral
part of the Micronesian culture. The article discusses where the stones are located, as there are many, and
explains their significance. Basically, it might be a good idea to attempt to preserve them, or take them into
account when we develop our plan for evacuation.

Web sources

Bilateral Realtions Between Micronesia and China
This site outlines the history of Chinese and Micronesian relations up to late 2003, focusing on trade and
political relations. China has been fairly heavily involved in Micronesia in fishing. Discusses the exchange of
technologies, culture, etc. (for example: China has sent magicians and gymnists and table tennis coaches to FSM
and exported textiles, small ships, and electronics to FSM as well).

CIA - The World Factbook - Micronesia, Federated States of
This site provides statistical information on Micronesia, the most relavent of which is statistics on
the Economy and Communications. Communications are not very good, which will pose a problem when attempting to
develop communication during the evacuation. The Economy is interesting because a large percent is funded by US
grants and the rest is what you would expect from an island nation: fishing/tourism...

Federated States of Micronesia: Government Home Page
This site provides links to current news/statements/press releases, national/state government, international
treaties, and other useful information. In recent news, the Micronesian executive sent a letter of condolence to
George W. Bush regarding hurricane Katrina. The link to government structure is interesting because Micronesia is
set up in a similar fashion to the US government.

FSM - Compact of Free Association
This site is the Compact of Free Association, a document that outlines the US role in Micronesia. The US is responsible
for the protection of Micronesia (I can only assume that that includes from natural disasters, which
means that the US would be a main contributer to the tsunami relief), assistance (economic) of Micronesia,
etc. It is really, really long.

Pacific Tsunami Warning Center - About PTWC
This site explains the workings of the tsunami alert system, which will be useful when setting up a timeframe for the
emergency system we will have to put into place. Also goes in to how it has been changed and improved in recent times.
If there is an earthquake of 6.5 or greater in the Pacific Basin, a warning is issues and the watch begins...

Print sources

Banks, A. (ed.). (2003). Political handbook of the world: 2000-2002. Binghampton, New York: CSA Publishing. p.730-732
This reference discusses the constitution, government, political history, foreign relations, population density, and
(relatively) current events/issues. The key information was the population density, which will be useful when
determining the order in which areas should be evacuated (help us find "high-risk" areas).

Kieley, G. & Jones, A. (eds.). (2004) Statesman's Yearbook: The politics, cultures and economies of the world.
New York: Palgrave Macmillan Ltd. p.1141-1143
This reference lists statistical data on Micronesia including trade partners, occupations, economic diversity, etc.
Really dryly, the reference discusses the general lack of economic diversity (most of the economy is funded by
US grants) and occupations (66% work for the government).

Maher, J. (ed.). (2005). Europa world yearbook, 2005, Vol. II. New York: Routledge: Taylor & Francis Group. p. 2963-2969
This reference gives an in-depth description of Micronesia's recent history, as well as insight on the constitution,
government structure, telecommunications, trade, religion, etc. This was by far the best physical source I found
Instead of just listing the statistics, it analyzes them and discusses them, taking about how the stability of the
government can possibly be linked to the religion, and other things like that.

Other

Federated States of Micronesia Maps
Just some good maps to get a good idea of the layout...

Routes of evacuation in the event of a tsunami - Peru
This gives the evacuation routes in Peru in the event of a tsunami, which will at the very least be an amazing
outline from which we can build.

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