To support the U.S. Government’s long-standing relationship and treaty obligations with the Compact Nations of FSM and RMI, the Compact designates US Agency for International Development (USAID) as responsible for providing disaster assistance and coordinating the US Government (USG) response to disasters in the Compact Nations.

The U.S. Congress developed a unique hybrid system where USAID–FEMA work in cooperation to provide a robust program of emergency disaster relief and reconstruction similar in type and level, but not identical, to the assistance that FEMA previously provided these islands. If the US President declares a disaster, FEMA will provide funds to USAID for carrying out disaster activities related to the declared event.

The USAID-FEMA Operational Blueprint (OBP) is a supplemental document to the Compact(s) of Free Association for the Republic of the Marshall Islands (RMI) and the Federated States of Micronesia (FSM). In the wake of an event/disaster, the OBP outlines how the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID) and FEMA will work in partnership to provide a robust program of emergency disaster relief and reconstruction similar in type and level, but not identical, to the assistance that FEMA previously provided these countries. The OBP defines roles and responsibilities of both agencies. FEMA must participate in the Joint Damage Assessment (JDA); process the President’s request for a disaster; and if approved, provide funding to USAID. FEMA may provide subject matter expertise (SME) throughout the disaster operation, as appropriate.