Namdrik Atoll Vulnerability and Adaptation Assessment Report

December 4-12, 2012

Table of Contents 1.0 Introduction 1.1 Climate Change Adaptation Project for Namdrik Atoll 1.2 Project Site - Mapping 1.3 Climate of the Island 1.4 Basic Socio-demographic Information 2.0 Methodology 3.0 Governance and Socio-economic Resources 3.1 Demography 3.2 Governance and Social system 3.3 Human Resources 3.4 Resource and Economy 3.5 Development Plans 4.0 Disaster Risk Management 5.0 Water Resource and Security 6.0 Health And sanitation 7.0 Energy Resource and Information Communication Technology 8.0 Food Resources and Security 9.0 Natural Resources Priorities/Appendices/Field Observations/Snap Shots 2 2 3 4 4 5 6 6 7 7 8 8 10 11 13 14 15 17 18

1.0 Introduction 1.1 Climate Change Adaptation Project for Namdrik Atoll The Namdrik atoll community in the Republic of the Marshall Islands is very vulnerable to the impacts of climate change. This report describes the level of vulnerability the community has experienced for the past number of years. The project is funded through the European Union Global Climate Change Adaptation project and is implemented by the Pacific Centre for Environment and Sustainable Development (PACE-SD) of the University of the South Pacific (USP). The Vulnerability and Adaptation Assessment that was carried out covers the whole atoll. Namdrik Atoll was chosen to be one of six atolls to be assessed as part of the USP-EU GCCA Project. The site was selected by the National Project Advisory Committee (NPAC) members based on numerous criteria outlined in the PACE-SD handbook. The assessment team consisted of a PACE-SD research assistant, Mr. Ame Tuisavusavu, two USP students, Mr. Benedict Yamamura who is currently studying Marine

Science at USP Laucala Campus, Cody Chong-Gum who is a USP preliminary science student at the RMI campus and Jacob Appelbaum, Integrated Resource Management Coordinator of the Marshall Islands Marine Resources Authority (MIMRA).

1.2 Project site Mapping Namdrik Atoll is located in the southern end of the Ralik Chain to the west of Jaluit Atoll and to the north of Ebon Atoll. Namdrik consists of two islets, Namdrik and Madmad, and has a total land area of 1.07 square miles. The aerial view of the atoll shows a triangular shape with the islet of Namdrik running from the northeastern to the southwestern corner, while Madmad forms the northwestern side of the island.

Figure 1.0 Namdrik Atoll Conservation GIS Map

Figure 1.0 Locality Map of the Namdrik Atoll

The lagoon area forms the majority of the area of the atoll with a total of 3.25 square miles. A shallow ledge and coral reef provide barriers for the lagoon on the northern and western sides of the atoll. There are no deep-water passages through the reefs that define the edges of the lagoon

and a number of small coral heads and reefs within the lagoon itself. The island s ecosystem is fragile and rich in biodiversity. 1.3 Climate of the island A tropical maritime climate predominates in the Marshall Islands and temperatures are generally warm and humid. The average temperature is 81-82 degrees Fahrenheit. The variation of the temperature is around two degrees on average on a monthly basis. Rainfall averages vary from the north to the south, with 750 to 1000mm of precipitation in the drier northern atolls and over 4000mm on Jaluit Atoll. In the northern atolls, the heaviest rainfall is between September and November. However, in the southern atolls rainfall is common throughout the year and highest from April to October. Namdrik Atoll is located in the south and is therefore rainier than the atolls in the north. The atolls and islands of the Marshall Islands are located on the northeast trade wind belt. The trade winds are strongest during months from December to April and in the southern atolls winds from a southerly and easterly direction are common during the remainder of the year (Crawford 1992; Laird 1992) 1.4 Basic Socio-demographic Information According to the RMI Census of population 2011, the population on Namdrik Atoll is approximately 508 with a population density of 475 per square miles. There are a total of 122 households on the island. Eighty-seven are occupied while thirty-five are empty because either the owner has passed away and no one else has moved into the house or the family has migrated to Majuro or overseas.

The Namdrik community is made up of one main village with a few settlements throughout the island. Some villagers have returned to settle on their own piece of land while majority of the population still remains on the south western side of the island. The island of Madmad is uninhabited. The island is used for making copra, fishing on a nearby reef and for pig farming. All people living on Namdrik are Christians. There are three main churches present: Protestant, Catholic and the Assemblies of God Church. There are also a few other smaller churches. There is a primary school on the island with a school population of 185 and offers school for students from kindergarten to 8th grade. For secondary school, students either move to Majuro atoll or Jaluit Atoll to one of the countrys six public schools or to a private school. For post-secondary education, students go to Majuro to attend the College of the Marshall Islands, the University of the South Pacific or leave the country to complete their degrees.

2.0 Methodology The Vulnerability and Adaptation

Assessment (V&A) was conducted to identify the level of vulnerability the people of Namdrik Atoll are facing from the impacts of climate change. The PACE-SD V&A Tool was used which involved field observations and assessments, community consultations, focus group workshops and interviews of key informants. However, this is a participatory approach where scientific knowledge, field
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experts and local communities are all involved in the decision making process. To ensure that the PACE-SD V&A was in line with the goals of the community, the team also engaged the Marshallese Reimaanlok Conservation Planning Process which was developed locally by stakeholders, NGOs and local agencies to develop principles, process and guidelines for the design, establishment and management of conservation areas that are fully owned, led and endorsed by local communities based on their needs, values and cultural heritage." (Reimaanlok Field Guide, 2012).

The PACE-SD V&A Tool assessment approach covers various sectors including Governance and Social Structure, Disaster Risk Management, Water resource and Security, Health and Sanitation, Energy Resources and Communication Information Technology and Food Resources and Security. As part of the assessment, relevant issues faced by the community are discussed during the focus group workshops and problem and solution exercises where community members list key problems, root causes and potential solutions for their specific group sectors/resource areas.

3.0 Governance and Socio-Economic Resources

3.1 Demography It was noted that there are more than 400 people living on Namdrik Atoll and about 130 households, excluding the abandoned ones. Table below shows the total estimation numbers of current population in Namdrik during a group discussion. Age 1-12 13-19 20 + Estimate No. 130 + 60+ 100+

The group estimated that there are over 130 children under age 12, approximately 60 individuals between ages 13 and 19, and over 100 adults age 20 and above.

Climate Change Knowledge and Attitudes Survey

A total of 122 interviews were conducted with 63 males and 59 females. The majority of the people interviewed were between 20 and 39 years of age. The majority of respondents had finished elementary school and many had a secondary school education. The level of climate change knowledge within the Namdrik community is limited with 12% of respondents having no knowledge of climate change and a plurality of respondents expressing a little knowledge. Roughly 89% of respondents think that climate change is human induced and not naturally occurring. Their level of concern regarding climate change and its potential impacts was moderate on average while many respondents expressed great concern on the subject.

3.2 Governance and Social System Namdrik Atoll is governed by its own local government which has both traditional and modern governing structures. The people of Namdrik Atoll elect a senator to the Nitijela (Parliament) and 16 council members for the atoll. Out of the 16 members, 3 are selected from a total of 53 Alabs (those who take care of the land on behalf of the chief) and one from the Irooj (Person of Chiefly rank), respectively. The Mayor is elected by popular vote during the general election.

3.3 Human Resources There are various types of skilled laborers, skilled trades people and highly skilled professionals currently residing on the atoll including a health assistant, a school principal, teachers, pearl farmers, carpenters, traditional skilled weavers, handicraft makers and canoe builders. 3.4 Resources and Economy There are 8 wetos on Namdrik which are all distributed to different alabs in the wetos (parcel of land). These wetos are utilized by the community with consents from the alabs. The whole area is arable land, including Madmad. Subsistence farming and fishing are the most common systems practiced by the community. The main source of income comes from the sale of copra to Tobolar1 as well as the selling of handicrafts. 3.5 Development Plans In 2011, Namdrik Atoll developed a draft community-based Resources

Management Plan, with participation from a variety of different community stakeholder groups. This management plan is being implemented by the Local Resource Committee (LRC) and the community in general with assistance and ongoing support from the Coastal

Coconut Processing Plant on Majuro Atoll.

Management Advisory Council (CMAC) National Project Team (MIMRA2, EPA3, MICS4, CMI5) and others. The Namdrik Atoll Local Government has a mandate to manage and protect marine resources within its 5 mile jurisdiction (MIMRA Act, 1997). The Iroij, Iroij-drik ro, Alaps and dri-jerbal (traditional leadership) play important role in advising the NALG on issues related to economic and social development and the well-beings of the community residents. The Mayor of Namdrik also works to improve the standard of living of the Namdrik community. With strong commitments from its Senator and other leaders, Namdrik Atoll has been proactive in seeking to effectively manage its marine and terrestrial resources and implement measures to adapt to the impending effects of climate change. The community-based Resources Management Plan, Namdrik Pearl Farm Project, and copra selling are aspects of the community development plan that are being implemented by the local government and the community of Namdrik. As part of the management plan, community members from Namdrik atoll attend a summer management training course each year called the Community-based Resources Management trainings on Majuro Atoll which include participants

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Marshall Islands Marine Resources Authority RMI Environmental Protection Authority 4 Marshall islands Conservation Society 5 College of the Marshall Islands

from the Namdrik Local Resource Committee. Namdrik has already committed, through its Resource Management Plan the entire atoll as wetland under the RAMSAR site program, including the lagoon and ocean reef flat for a total area of 21,996,937 sqm (5.435 acres) and the pearl lines that were identified total 1,159,305 sqm (286.5 acres) as marine protected areas. Becoming an official RAMSAR site in 2012 reflects their continued commitment to increasing resilience through awareness and legal protection of its terrestrial and marine environment. Moreover, the community has re-established their pearl farm, received funding to start producing coconut oil for sale, undertaken shoreline rehabilitation, rainwater harvesting, solar power provision and food security and this year will become the first atoll to participate in the national coconut replanting project. Engaging the Reimaanlok process towards adopting the Resource Management Plan, Namdrik atoll is in the final stages of signing off on this key step in order to continue to actively engage in the outputs of the plan including ordinances, monitoring and community awareness. In addition, other groups including WUTMI6, the Jaki-Ed (University of the South Pacific continuing education) weaving program, church groups, and the youth group also play an important role in the local community. High-Frequency (HF) radio systems are the most prominent feature of communication to every outer island in the Marshall Islands, and a newly installed DAMA7 satellite channel system enables the local residents to communicate via

internet, phone call and fax with relatives and friends in the urban centers and overseas (US).

6 7

Women United Together Marshall Islands Demand Assigned Multiple Access

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4.0 Disaster Risk Management (Climate-induced disasters) The most recent serious flooding occurred in February 2011 during seasonal king tides and destroyed many crops (especially banana and taro). This flooding also led to elevated salinity of groundwater from the freshwater lens and there is evidence of ongoing erosion in some areas with coconut palms close to shore being fully undercut (see Field Observation and Snapshots). In times of impending extreme weather events, the community is warned by Majuro & Kwajalein Weather Stations via HF radio systems. Namdrik elementary school like most outer islands schools that were built using compact funds are designed to withstand extreme weather conditions including typhoons. Some traditional knowledge-based practices are still being used by the locals to mitigate climateinduced disasters including mar-e-lik, planting coastal vegetation that can survive in very sunny, windy and salty conditions near the seashore. This includes species such as kat (Scaevola taccada Vahl) and kiden (Tournefortia argentea L. f.). 5.0 Water resource and security The main sources of water in the Namdrik Atoll are rain water and well water. The community normally receives rainfall throughout the year although there is a time of possible lower rain fall or drought. From December to April each year the community can experiences drought which can happen for up to one or two months. Usually, only a few families who do not have a well are severely affected during droughts. However, food is not often affected during drought, unlike the atolls in
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the north, drought is not as serious an issue for the southern atolls like Namdrik. The people of Namdrik have seen a lot of changes to their environment when comparing it to previous years. For drinking water on the island the community uses rainwater collected in the water catchments (tanks) and well water for washing and bathing. To collect water from the well, they use generator pumps, hand pumps and buckets tied with ropes. Each household has their own water tank distributed by the Marshall Islands government (with funding from the Republic of China) with a storage capacity of 1,500 gallons. There is no community tank but they have two tanks at their community centre. All family members access and manage water resources as it one of the main priorities in the village. Table 1.0 Sample taken at random in eight household within the Namdrik community. Sample No: S1 S2 S3 S4 S5 S6 S7 S8 Location
N 0535.957 E 16806.275 N 0536.578 E 16806.105 N 0536.344 E 16806.138 N 0536.040 E 16806.230 N 0537.915 E 16807.576 N 0537.205 E 16807.676 N 0535.716 E 16806.476 N 0535.870 E 16806.300

Date/Time
05:12:12/9.12aml 05:12:12/10.08am 05:12:12/10.57am 05:12:12/1.00pm 05:12:12/3.14pm 05:12:12/4.30pm 05:12:12/5.30pm 05:12:12/5.32pm

6 hours
No change No change No change No change No change No change No change No change

12 hours
Turn black in colour No change Turn black in colour No change No change No change No change No change

18 hours
Black No change Black No change No change No change No change Slightly change

24 hours
Black Turn black in colour Black No change No change No change Turn black in colour Turn black in colour

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Figure 2.0 Result of the Hydrogen Sulphide (H2S) water testing.

6.0 Health and Sanitation Namdrik community has one Health Center located at the center of the most populated area on the island. There is only one medical assistant who is serving the community. The range of services the health centre provides on island includes a diabetic clinic, a hypertension clinic, pregnancy management, dental check-up and outpatient treatment for numerous other sicknesses. According to the medical assistant, the Namdrik community has cases of water borne disease like diarrhea, skin disease and eye disease. The incidence of diarrhea is 10 patients per month, skin diseases 10 to 20 patients per month and eye disease 1 patient per month. According to the outer islands dispensary, there have been no cases of vector borne diseases like dengue (although a recent dengue outbreak in the country meant that dengue could have been present on Namdrik at some point) and malaria on the island. The common diseases are cold and flu and there are also significant numbers of non-communicable diseases such as diabetes and hypertension. There are two types of toilets used by the community: water seal toilets and flush toilets. A total of 44 households use water seal toilets while 22 use flush toilets and 51 have no toilet facilities. For waste management, each household has a sealed septic tank for human waste and kitchen
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organic waste. For inorganic waste the regular practice is to dig holes and bury the waste. The
local government and women's groups have regular cleanup and crop planting projects. The community

also depends on traditional knowledge-based practices which include using herbal medicine (uno in majol) to treat sickness. Types of Toilet Flush Toilet 22 Water seal Toilet 44 No Toilet 51

Figure 3.0 Graph of the types of toilets that are available in the Namdrik community. 7.0 Energy Resource and Information Communication Technology The main sources of energy for cooking in the Namdrik community are firewood and gas. The school and the community centre can generate more power through its multiple solar panels and diesel generator. For lighting, almost all households have solar panels while a few families have fuel generators. There are total of 122 households in the village, of which 106 have solar systems

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and 16 are without a solar system. The communication technology available in the village includes several radios and there is one telephone and internet available on one computer. For extreme weather warnings, the National Communication Authority in Majuro informs the community. Solar System Households system 106 with solar Households system 16 without solar

8.0 Food Resources and Security For most families imported food (especially rice, flour, sugar, and canned meat and fish) provides the primary source of sustenance, but locally grown and harvested foods are important in supplementing this diet and providing a backup when money is scarce or imported food is unavailable. Locally caught seafood provides an important source of protein for many families, with the average focus group participant consuming seafood during nine meals per week. Finfish make up the bulk of seafood consumed on Namdrik, with important species including yellowfin tuna (bwebwe), rudderfish (bejrok), mullet (il), silverfish (ilimok), red snapper (jato), and convict tang (kubang). Marine invertebrates (crabs, lobsters, clams, and octopus) are also occasionally consumed and sea turtles are targeted for special occasions. Most fish is consumed locally, but some yellowfin tuna, mullet, jack (rewa), and flying fish (jojo) is salted and sold locally and on Majuro, providing a minor source of income. Fishing is done primarily by men who fish both in the lagoon and in the ocean, with the majority of the catch coming from the ocean.

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Local crops also provide a supplement to imported food and are used as a backup when imported food is unavailable. The

majority of the land area is used for growing coconut trees for copra, but all families have gardens growing other food crops. The

local food crops, in order of importance, are breadfruit, coconut, banana, pandanus, taro, pumpkin, papaya, mountain apple, and lime. Of these, bananas, limes, and preserved breadfruit (bwiro) are sold by some families, and some pandanus leaves are sold for weaving. For most households sale of locally grown crops is a minor source of income. Participants also reported that Namdriks soil quality is relatively low, requiring the use of fertilizer to produce high yields of these crops. Both men and women contribute to gardening. Another local food source is livestock, which are kept by all families and include chickens, pigs, and ducks. All families keep chickens, with the average participant owning 24. Twelve of thirteen participants owned pigs, with an average of five per family. Five of thirteen participants owned ducks, averaging three ducks per family. Both men and women contribute to the care of livestock, which are usually free ranging.

9.0 Natural Resources The most important terrestrial natural resource is the coconut tree, which is used to make copra (the primary source of income for most families), for food, as fuel for cooking (coconut husks
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and shells), and occasionally for building material. Other plants are also important for cooking fuel, and breadfruit trees are used for building canoes. Most houses are built from imported materials. The major issues reported by focus group participants included damage to coconuts and taro by rats, damage to a variety of food crops by pigs, and problems with invasive species and a disease affecting breadfruit trees.

Marine resources are used mainly for food. Namdrik has a total of over 30 outrigger canoes and two boats with outboard motors. The frequency of fishing varies by family and time of year, but some men fish almost every day while others fish once per week or less. Surplus catch can be frozen for later consumption. The men use a variety of fishing methods including trolling, spear fishing, bottom fishing, and throw netting, as well as more specialized methods such as fishing for flying fish at night or fishing with machetes on the reef at low tide. Participants reported that overall fish abundance is decreasing, with associated decreases in fish size and catch per unit effort. One marine protected area (MPA) currently exists around the site of the pearl farm within the lagoon, but traditional conservation practices (e.g. mo) are not used for either marine or terrestrial resources.

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Reference: 1. Limalevu, L and McNamara, K.E (2012) PACE-SD Guidebook: Participatory Assessment of Vulnerability and Adaptation. Pacific Centre for Environment and Sustainable Development, University of the South Pacific, Suva, Fiji.

Appendix 1.1 Natural Resources (Terrestrial, Marine and Freshwater) Sectors/Resource Areas A. Governan ce and Socio Economic Resources Issues/Problems Transparency Accountability Lack of good governance Causes Lack of cooperation Lack of distribution of information Solutions Audit is needed Fair distribution of power/roles Local government and community should work together

B.

Disaster Risk Management

C.

Water Resource and Security

Namdrik community does not meet the requirements of disaster risk department Water contamination

FEMA is no longer exist

Establish disaster risk management committee for Namdrik Atoll

Animal waste Dust Salt water intrusion Fallen leaves

Not enough water

Not enough water catchments

Clean the roof top Boil water Treat water with chlorine Clean the house premises Need of water catchment Need of tin roofing Well need to be

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Not enough water tank Well contamination E. Food Security 1. Not enough fish 1.

Not enough tin roofing structures Not clean Water run-off Human/animal waste Well has no lid

clean Need to have cover Put fence around the well

D.

Health and Sanitation

Diarrhea Eye disease

Water contamination Unclean environment 1.

Treat water

2. Coral dying

Overfishing, rising water temperatures, pollution 2. Pollution, temperature, low tides, crown of thorns 3. Overfishing, eating before they can reproduce, climate change 4. Overharvesting, low tides, coral dying 5. Unhealthy soil, pigs, trash Too old Disease introduction

3. Fewer turtles

Fish less, create MPAs, reduce trash/pollution 2. Reduce trash/pollution, remove crown of thorns 3. Harvest less and dont harvest small turtles 4. Create MPAs, reduces trash/pollution 5. Fertilize, fence pigs/bananas, clean up 6. Replant 7. 8. Ask R&D for help

4. Fewer giant clams

5. Bananas not fruiting

6. Pandanus trees less productive 7. Breadfruit and pandanus trees damaged by disease 8. Less taro

6. 7.

Fence pigs/taro, dig deeper pits, fertilize 9. Replant, coastal protection

8. 9. Breadfruit trees unhealthy 9.

Pigs, less water, unhealthy soil Erosion, saltwater, too old Weeds, improper collection, not enough replanting Clean up, teach the women, replant 2. Remove and burn 1.

E. Natural Resources

1. Pandanus plants (used for weaving) are dying

1.

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2. Invasive plant killing other plants 3. Not many kimeme (tree used for firewood) left 4. Less lo (plant used for handicrafts)

2.

Seeds/plants brought in from outside 3. Too much cutting

them 3. replant 4. replant Reduce harvest, Reduce harvest,

4.

Cutting down too much

Appendix 1.2

Identifying and Prioritizing Adaptation Options Sectors/Resource Areas A. Governance and Socio Economic Resources Adaptations options (Solutions) Audit is a need for the local government Need co-operation between local government and community Fair distribution of authority Priorities Priority (1) Co-operation between local government and community (10)

B.

Livelihood Sectors i. Water Resources and Security ii. Health and Sanitation Clean roof tops Boil water Chlorine Clean house premises Need more water catchment Need more tin roofing Clean water catchment Well needs lid Clean the well and the surrounding area No human or animal waste near the well
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Priority (1a) Need more water catchment (2) Need more tin roofing (9)

Priority (1b) Treat water with

iii. Energy Resources and Information Technology -

Test water Treat water with chlorine Each household should have a rest room

chlorine (3) Each household should have a rest room (7)

iv. Food Resources and Security -

Priority (1c) Need to renew solar power system (11) Need more Need to renew solar telephone (6) power system Need light bulbs Need a waste management plan Priority (1d) Need more Stop using telephone destructive fishing methods (8) Stop using Re-planting of destructive fishing pandanus and coconut methods trees (1) Establish Marine Protected Areas Do not litter Clean marine environment Eradicate invasive species Limit the number of fish per catch/size Add fertilizer to banana plants Put the pig in cages or fence Clean the banana trees Re-planting of pandanus and coconut trees Ask Resource and Development Department for assistance Fence the taro patch Make the taro patch deep
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Re-planting of breadfruit tree in the middle the island

C.

Disaster Risk Management

Establish Disaster Management Committee Clear weeds and other plants growing with pandanus tree Teach the woman on how to properly collect pandanus leaves Re-planting of pandanus tree Kill and burn invasive plants Reduce using of Kimeme tree for firewood Reduce the use of Lo tree sp.

D.

Natural Resources

Priority (2) Establish Disaster Management Committee (4) Priority (3) Kill and burn invasive plants (5) Need pig fence (12)

Field Observation and Snapshots

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Image 1

Image 1 was taken on March 30, 2010. Reflection from the objects was good due to the cleared sky. Erosion taking place. Location: 1686'16.64"E 535'57.13"N Time: 11:27AM Tide Height: 0.5-0.7 metre Tide gauge zero is 2.6535 metres below MAR2. Image 2 was taken on December 6, 2012 during a cloudy day, therefore reflection from the objects was poor. Accumulation of sand in the same area. Location: 1686'16.64"E 535'57.13"N Time: 9:11AM Tide Height: 0.2-0.3 metre Tide gauge zero is 2.6535 metres below MAR2.

Image 2

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Image 1

Image 1 was taken on March 30, 2010. Reflection from the objects was high due to the cleared sky. Location: 1687'32.278"E 537'53.351"N Time: 10:39AM Tide Height: 0.5-0.7 metre Tide gauge zero is 2.6535 metres below MAR2.

Image 2

Image 2 was taken on December 5, 2012 during a cloudy day, therefore reflection from the object was poor. Notice the red arrows on both images and distance that has taken place from Feb. 2010 Dec. 2012. Location: 1687'32.278"E 537'53.351"N Time: 3:23PM Tide Height: 0.2-0.3 metre Tide gauge zero is 2.6535 metres below MAR2. Source: Tide Predictions were extracted from the Commonwealth of Australia 2009 & 2011, Bureau of Meteorology.

Figure 2 Namdrik Atoll Household Types and Location.