This is an annual report produced in
conjunction with the Regional Security Office at the U.S. Embassy in Manila, which
has security oversight for the Federated States of Micronesia. OSAC encourages
travelers to use
this report to gain baseline knowledge of security conditions in Micronesia.
Review OSAC’s Micronesia page
for original OSAC reporting, consular messages, and contact information, some
of which may be available only to private-sector representatives with an OSAC
password.
Travel Advisory
The current U.S. Department of State Travel
Advisory at the date of this report’s publication assesses Micronesia at
Level 1, indicating travelers should exercise normal precautions. Review OSAC’s
report, Understanding the Consular Travel Advisory System.
Overall Crime and Safety Situation
The U.S. Department of State has
assessed Kolonia as being a LOW-threat
location for crime directed at or affecting official U.S. government interests.
Many Micronesians do not formally report crimes such as rape or domestic
violence due to cultural stigmas.
Non-confrontational property crimes (home break-ins) are the type of
crimes most likely to affect those residing in or traveling to Micronesia. In
July 2019, several U.S. Navy Seabees were in a car when a man drove up near
them and fired a rifle into the air. In addition, a U.S. Embassy spouse
reported sexual harassment from a taxi driver and passersby.
Handguns are illegal throughout the
Federated States of Micronesia, but local residents may wield guns as a form of
intimidation outside of city limits.
Rifles are legal in Ponhpei and Kosrae with hunting permits.
In October 2019, someone shot and
killed a U.S. citizen serving as the acting Attorney General with a shotgun in
Yap.
Traveling on foot after dark in
Micronesia can be dangerous due to the lack of sidewalks, no streetlights, stray
dogs, frequent torrential downpours, and drunk drivers.
Crime rates are significantly higher
in Chuuk than in the other three states. Incidents in Chuuk have recently
included assaults on U.S. citizens. Crime increases at night and alcohol
usually plays a role, especially in assaults. Maintain situational awareness
and avoid individuals who appear to be intoxicated. Do not attempt to intervene
in disputes between local citizens.
Transportation-Safety Situation
Road Safety and Road
Conditions
Most roads in Micronesia are in very
poor condition, with numerous potholes; they are narrow and without sidewalks.
There are no traffic signals. Road traffic includes vehicles, pedestrians,
playing children, and animals. Road conditions can worsen significantly after
heavy rains, which occur frequently. There are very few streetlights, so road
visibility is difficult at night. Pedestrians may dress in dark clothing,
making them especially hard to see. Roads outside of towns are mostly unpaved.
The lack of shoulders on the roads hampers travel by bicycle, as does the
presence of many dogs. Drive defensively and be on the lookout for pedestrians,
especially near Yap harbor and Chuuk Lagoon.
Drivers often do not have the benefit
of formal training in road safety and/or driving skills, so many drivers are
unaware of road safety rules. Drivers often make sudden turns or stop to chat
with or pick up pedestrians without warning. When traffic accidents happen,
they often result in fatalities or serious injuries. However, most motorcyclists
wear helmets. Review OSAC’s
Report, Driving
Overseas: Best Practices, and the
State Department’s webpage on driving
and road safety abroad.
Public Transportation
Conditions
There is no public transportation in
Micronesia. Taxis are available in state capitals, but exercise caution when
patronizing them, as many taxi drivers are reckless. Some taxi drivers sell marijuana and are
involved in prostitution/sex trafficking. Taxi drivers often require shared
rides; many do not accept single fares. The U.S. Embassy advises its personnel not
to use taxis. Review OSAC’s
report, Security
In Transit: Airplanes, Public Transport, and Overnights.
Aviation/Airport
Conditions
Flights often fill up quickly and are
expensive. United Airlines flies from Guam into Kolonia five times per
week. Inclement weather and other
conditions often delay or cancel flights.
Terrorism Threat
The U.S. Department of State has
assessed Kolonia as being a LOW-threat
location for terrorism directed at or affecting official U.S. government
interests.
Political, Economic, Religious, and Ethnic Violence
The U.S. Department of State has
assessed Kolonia as being a LOW-threat
location for political violence directed at or affecting official U.S.
government interests.
Post-specific Concerns
Environmental Hazards
Micronesia faces an array of natural
disasters including tsunamis, typhoons, floods, mudslides, and earthquakes.
Typhoons are a common occurrence, and the peak season is August-November. Yap
and Chuuk States experience more typhoons and tropical storms, but Pohnpei and
Kosrae States are not immune, especially to torrential rainfall. A slight rise
in sea level can flood many of the 600 islands and atolls that comprise the
country. Monitor weather closely during typhoon season and depart the island you
are visiting if a typhoon heads your way.
Unexploded ordnance (UXO) from World
War II remains in some areas. It is both dangerous and illegal to remove
anything from sunken WWII vessels and aircraft.
Economic Concerns
Micronesia uses the U.S. dollar as its
currency. Some businesses or hotels will not accept credit cards; many vendors prefer
cash. Internet connectivity problems are common and can prevent credit card
transactions even when businesses are willing to accept them.
Personal Identity
Concerns
Same-sex sexual activity is legal and
the law provides for protection from discrimination based on sexual
orientation. While there are no legal restrictions on same-sex sexual relations
or the organization of LGBT events, Micronesian society remains very
conservative, and the LGBT community is discrete. Review the State Department’s
webpage on security for LGBTI+
travelers.
Accessibility and accommodation are
vastly different from what you find in the United States. Neither laws nor
regulations mandate accessibility to public facilities, services, or
accommodations for persons with mobility issues. There are few sidewalks and no
public transportation. The national Department of Health and Social Services is
responsible for protecting the rights of persons with disabilities; however,
they rarely take action to enforce these measures. Review the State
Department’s webpage on security for travelers
with disabilities.
Drug-related Crimes
Alcohol abuse is common and can lead
to crimes such as assault, domestic violence, and vandalism. Public drunkenness
is a felony in Yap. Penalties for possessing, using, or trafficking in illegal
drugs, including marijuana, are severe; convicted offenders can expect long
jail sentences and heavy fines.
Police Response
The emergency line in MICRONESIA is 911
(except Pohnpei). Report crimes to the local police at 320-2221 on Pohnpei, and
911 on all other islands. The numbers for fire assistance are 330-2222 (Chuuk),
370-3333 (Kosrae), 320-2223 (Pohnpei), and 350-3333 (Yap). There is often a
significant delay before police and firefighters respond to calls, and they may
not be able to respond at all. Sometimes no one picks up at emergency numbers,
especially after normal business hours. Download the State Department’s Crime
Victims Assistance brochure.
Report all incidents of crime to the
local police authorities. It is important that foreigners remain calm and polite
when interacting with the police to avoid misunderstandings. The ability of
local police to respond to traffic accidents and to assist victims of crime is
limited due to a lack of response vehicles, radios, and other essential
equipment. Compared to norms in the United States, local police are less
responsive to victim concerns, particularly in cases involving burglary. Local
police may not possess the resources to prosecute crimes.
There is no coroner and police perform
only limited investigations into crimes.
Authorities have limited ability to take or electronically compare
fingerprints.
Those arrested or detained should ask
police or prison officials to notify the U.S. Embassy immediately. The justice
system is extremely slow and may not apply western legal standards. Some
members of law enforcement are poorly trained. Court-appointed attorneys, as
well as judges, may not have legal training comparable to that found in the
United States.
Medical Emergencies
Only basic medical care is available,
and only on the main outer islands. Overseas travel may exacerbate health
problems and require a level of medical care unavailable in Micronesia. Bring a
sufficient supply of any medications you require, as many medications are
difficult, if not impossible, to acquire locally. For more information, review
OSAC’s Report, Traveling with Medication.
Scuba divers should note that in
Micronesia, the only operational decompression chambers with trained staff are
in Chuuk and Yap States.
There are four state hospitals in
Micronesia, in Kosrae, Pohnpei, Yap, and Chuuk. These facilities lack advanced supplies
and medicines, and the quality of health care is low. For complete contact
information for these hospitals, as well as smaller, private clinics and
pharmacies, refer to the Embassy’s Medical
Assistance page.
Medical air evacuation assistance is available
but is expensive. It is best to have a
provider’s contacts before traveling to Micronesia, as trying to find one once
in country can mean that the assistance will take considerably longer to
arrive. Because commercial flights often sell out, finding last-minute seats can
be difficult.
Serious medical problems requiring
hospitalization and/or medical evacuation (medevac) to the U.S. can cost
several thousand dollars. The U.S. Department of State strongly recommends
purchasing international health insurance before traveling internationally.
Review the State Department’s webpage on insurance
overseas.
Country-specific
Vaccination and Health Guidance
Travelers should drink bottled water
while in Micronesia. Review OSAC’s report, I’m Drinking What in My Water?
The State Department's Regional
Medical Officer recommends that visitors to Micronesia ensure that their
Tetanus/Diphtheria (TD), Measles/Mumps/Rubella (MMR), Typhoid, Hepatitis A,
Hepatitis B, and Polio vaccinations are up to date. The CDC offers additional
information on vaccines and health guidance for FSM.
The CDC offers additional information
on vaccines and health guidance for Micronesia.
OSAC Country Council Information
There is no active OSAC Country
Council in Micronesia. Interested private-sector security managers should
contact OSAC’s East
Asia-Pacific Team with any questions.
U.S. Embassy and Contact Information
1286 U.S. Embassy Place, Pohnpei (near
the movie theater)
Hours: Mon-Fri, 0800-1700 (except
local and U.S. holidays)
Website: https://fm.usembassy.gov/
Embassy Operator: (691) 320-2187
Emergency calls after normal business
hours: (691) 920- 2369.
Helpful Information
Before you travel, consider the
following resources:
OSAC Risk Matrix
OSAC
Travelers Toolkit
State
Department Traveler’s Checklist
Smart Traveler Enrollment Program (STEP)
