The U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID) has facilitated the acquisition of $10.4 million in climate change-related grants from the Green Climate Fund (GCF) for the Federated States of Micronesia and the Republic of Palau. This financial support aims to bolster these nations' resilience against climate change.
In Micronesia, USAID's assistance contributed to securing $9.4 million in GCF funding by helping develop a strategy focused on improving climate resilience and food security for farming households. The strategy involves introducing sustainable agricultural practices and enhancing climate-resilient agriculture value chains.
Palau received a $1 million grant from the GCF, with USAID's support positioning it to access further climate change mitigation funding. This grant will aid in recruiting and training staff, establishing necessary policies, and applying for GCF accreditation—a critical step toward obtaining more international climate-related funds.
USAID's efforts have been instrumental in enabling Pacific Island countries to secure international funding for climate change mitigation and preparedness. Since 2017, USAID has helped several nations, including Micronesia, Palau, the Marshall Islands, and Papua New Guinea, mobilize over $36 million from the GCF.
"Modest USAID support enables our partners in the Pacific Island countries to access funding from an array of international donors for climate change mitigation and preparedness," stated USAID representatives.