A major upgrade to four points of entry into the Marshall Islands has been accomplished, strengthening preparedness against infectious diseases. The initiative supported by the government of Japan and the International Organization for Migration (IOM) partnered with multiple RMI agencies to provide substantial improvements at four main entry points: Amata Kabua International Airport, Ebeye Seaport, […]
GIFF JOHNSON There is a striking development in regards to the fire that destroyed the Nitijela. In the Executive Order declaring a state of disaster issued by Acting President Kalani Kaneko on August 28, two days after the fire, among a list of action directives to government ministries and agencies was the directive to Marshall […]
GIFF JOHNSON Canvasback Missions combined eye and dental team provided services to several hundred Ebeye residents during a six-day visit last month. Canvasback’s visit was the first it has made to Ebeye since 2019, prior to Covid and border closures preventing their teams from entering for about three years. Demonstrating high demand and need for […]
GIFF JOHNSON After two years of discussion, arguments and debates, two major funding streams under the Compact of Free Association have been approved for distribution later this year. The US-RMI Trust Fund Committee has endorsed releasing $27.7 million for the Individual Support Distribution (otherwise known as the Enra program) and $19.9 million for the Extraordinary […]
GIFF JOHNSON The day after last week Tuesday’s fire consumed Nitijela, parliament staff were already setting up the ICC conference hall as a temporary Nitijela meeting space. Monday this week, the Appropriations Committee, with Chairman Jack Ading at the helm, completed the final series of FY2026 budget hearings from the ICC meeting location. Nitijela staff […]
GIFF JOHNSON Tuesday morning, while the fire still burned at Nitijela, the RMI Cabinet held an emergency meeting at the MIMRA headquarters conference room to discuss its response. By mid-afternoon, President Hilda Heine had issued a short statement posted to the President’s Office Facebook page describing the situation and the government’s next steps. President Heine […]
Republic of China (Taiwan) Chargé d’Affaires Hank Liu presented a check for $7,240,455 to Foreign Minister Kalani Kaneko on August 22. The funding is Budgetary Support to the RMI government for 2025 under the annual financial assistance from the government Taiwan to the Marshall Islands. At the presentation, Chargé Liu reiterated Taiwan’s longtime commitment to […]
Six Marshallese pallbearers carried the casket of Iroojlaplap Christopher Jorebon Loeak into historic Central Union Church in Honolulu, where a memorial service was held last Saturday for the former President. Hundreds of Marshallese packed the church for the service, including current President Hilda Heine and First Gentleman Tommy Kijiner, Jr. The remains of the late President […]
The Marshall Islands Compact Trust Fund had over $1.3 billion in it as of last week. The trust fund is divided into three separate accounts, according to Finance Minister David Paul, who provided the update on the fund amount. He said Account 1, which is the originally capitalized account under the second Compact funding agreement, […]
A team from the Ernst & Young audit company hit town last week to run a one-day accountability workshop with Marshall Islands government finance-related staff from multiple ministries and agencies. The program, held at the Marshall Islands Resort’s Melele Room, was packed with participants who heard from top EY audit executives with updates on government […]
