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Monday, September 14, 2026

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State Department · Monday, September 14, 2026

U.S. pledges more than $100 million for Micronesia storm recovery

The File desk · Sep. 14, 2026, 6:16 a.m. ET

Confirmed1 primary sources

Status

Confirmed from a State Department media note dated Sept. 11, 2026.
Deputy Secretary of State Christopher Landau toured Pacific partners after the Pacific Islands Forum in Palau. A Sept. 11 State Department media note says he met Federated States of Micronesia President Wesley Simina and surveyed Typhoon Sinlaku damage in Chuuk State. There he said the United States intends to provide more than $100 million for disaster relief and reconstruction in the Federated States of Micronesia, delivering on commitments. In Solomon Islands he signed an agreement with Foreign Minister Rick Houenipwela for the Peace Corps to return after a 26-year absence, announced Ambassadors Fund for Cultural Preservation support for the Bloody Ridge battlefield, and said State intends to provide four aircraft rescue and firefighting vehicles. He also said the Millennium Challenge Corporation will assess rehabilitating the Solomon Islands Parliament. In Kiribati he attended a development partners forum on Kiritimati Island at President Taneti Maamau’s invitation.
Deputy Secretary of State Christopher Landau toured Pacific partners after the Pacific Islands Forum in Palau.
A Sept. 11 State Department media note says he met Federated States of Micronesia President Wesley Simina and surveyed Typhoon Sinlaku damage in Chuuk State.
There he said the United States intends to provide more than $100 million for disaster relief and reconstruction in the Federated States of Micronesia. The note says that money is meant to deliver on commitments.
In Solomon Islands he signed an agreement with Foreign Minister Rick Houenipwela for the Peace Corps to return after a 26-year absence.
He announced Ambassadors Fund for Cultural Preservation support for the Bloody Ridge battlefield. At Honiara Airport he said the State Department, working with Congress, intends to provide four aircraft rescue and firefighting vehicles.
He also said the Millennium Challenge Corporation will assess rehabilitating the Solomon Islands Parliament.
In Kiribati he attended a development partners forum on Kiritimati Island at President Taneti Maamau’s invitation.
How we know

What is still unknown or disputed

  • Timing and exact makeup of the more-than-$100-million package beyond the media note are not detailed here. Congressional action steps for the firefighting vehicles are not specified beyond “working with Congress.”

Primary sources

Every claim in this story is drawn from the documents below. If a fetch failed, that is recorded on the card.

  1. Source 1

    Strengthening U.S. Ties with the Pacific: Deputy Secretary Landau Engages Partners in Federated States of Micronesia, Solomon Islands, and Kiribati

    U.S. Department of State, Office of the Spokesperson · September 11, 2026

    United States intends to provide over $100 million to support disaster relief and reconstruction in FSM, delivering on U.S. commitments under the . Peace Corps return agreement in Solomon Islands after a 26-year absence; Ambassadors Fund for Bloody Ridge; four aircraft rescue and firefighting vehicles intended, working with Congress; Millennium Challenge Corporation Parliament assessment; Kiribati development partners forum on Kiritimati Island.

    https://www.state.gov/releases/office-of-the-spokesperson/2026/09/strengthening-u-s-ties-with-the-pacific-deputy-secretary-landau-engages-partners-in-federated-states-of-micronesia-solomon-islands-and-kiribati