Ebon ailinglaplap impact report 2

Impact Assessment Report: Ailinglaplap & Ebon

ADB

ADB

This paper details the impact assessment conducted in Ailinglaplap and Ebon. It is based off a questionnaire guide and was meant to assess the performance of the Coconut Replantation project and its relative success in the targeted communities.

By: Desmond N. Doulatram

Impact Assessment Report: Ailinglaplap & Ebon ADB

Figure 1.1: Ailinglaplap Atoll Picture Collage

Background

The ADB coconut replantation project targets five key atolls mainly Ailinlaplap, Ebon, Namdrik, Arno, and Mili. The intended purpose of the project is to launch a successful program to enhance the existing local safety nets in place through careful formalization. An MOA was signed between the Ministry of Resources and Development with the local governments of the five piloted project sites. Initial consultations were launched with atoll leadership to discuss what their roles were and what the Project Management Unit’s role was. This impact report will detail the cash for work scheme component of the Coconut replantation project and its associated impacts for the atolls of Ailinglaplap and Ebon.

Methodology The consultation process was centered around being interactive and was based on the questionnaire guideline (See Appendix 1). The first atoll visit was Ailinlaplap. The consultation

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Impact Assessment Report: Ailinglaplap & Ebon ADB

schedule for the Ailinglaplap communities (See Appendix 2) is listed in chronological order in the bullet points given below.

• Jeh/Mejil • Jabwan/Airuk • Buoj The second atoll visited was Ebon. The consultation schedule for the Ebon communities (See Appendix 2) is listed in chronological order in the bullet points given below.

• Ebon • Take

Figure 1.2: Map of Ailinglaplap Atoll courtesy of Dirk Spenneman

1. Ailinglaplap: Jeh/Mejil Justification/Sustainability A well justified response was met by the enthusiastic attitudes of the Jeh/Mejil interviewed staff. They are firm in their conviction that this project is of dire importance given the fact that copra is a major source of income and livelihood for their respective community.

The general consensus was that copra was not a new discovery but methods to streamline it are though, which is why they participate in this project. To them, it is not just for the pay, they see a justifiable purpose in such an endeavor as it is what they say who they are. They have always

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Impact Assessment Report: Ailinglaplap & Ebon ADB

lived on copra and view and greet the current opportunity with positivism. Active participation in this endeavor has bred the need for knowledge preservation by the participants themselves. One crew member who serves all three roles indicated and emphasized preservation of traditional methods of sustainable livelihood. Overall, they believe the project can be sustained at their given capabilities. Site visit by project manager and local supervisor inspected nothing but success despite resource constraints. The only complaint was tools as well as slow distribution of payment from the local council. They believe copra to be a future economic market that can bear fruit to even future generations.

Impact Recent pilot project has helped the project staff immensely both economically and educationally. Project crew asserts that since project has started, they have acquired skills and have become more educated through effective resource collaboration and active participation.

Interviewees showcased evidence that traditional skills are being revived amongst the staff that had no experience in traditional techniques prior to pilot demonstration. Camaraderie amongst the crew and collaboration has increased as all crews integrate their roles and serve both nursing and planting purposes. This has led better involvement amongst females and males alike and has thus promoted a working environment that is conducive to gender equality, equal opportunity, and female empowerment. An attestment to this reality was observed during the consultation process where the lone female was heavily engaged in the consultation process surpassing the involvement of her peers and was of equal stature in knowledge as the most vocal male. The decision to blend their roles was initiated by the Jeh staff members themselves as it is applicable to their situation of scarce human resources thus effectuating collaboration and coordination, providing a more efficient administrative structure that meets community’s demand for a more traditional method of working based on the proverb “Ejjelok Kalijeklok� (no discrimination) which promotes communal welfare through active communication by all parties concerned.

Figure 1.3: Consultation with Jeh Staff

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Impact Assessment Report: Ailinglaplap & Ebon ADB

The involvement in the project itself has bought the staff members closer to their local and national government as they become active participants in development endeavors and are uniquely situated in a position where their successful efforts would translate to development and social advancement through active participation and communication. The most enlightening experience gathered from the participants is how they're reintroduced to sustainable methods largely ignored due to it not being used anymore. One participant highlighted that this project itself serves as a preservation method even for them because they are learning things that they weren't taught at an early age (19-30 is the age span) and as they are learning it through practice, they see more and more of its significance, a lesson learned to which they assert they share.

Integration A major step by the Jeh staff was integrating traditional methods of agriculture into the project. The staff of Jeh often utilize leaves (compost) as fertilizers and utilize husk to trap in moisture thus increasing the success rate of the project. Most of these materials are also done at the expense of the project staff. Heavy labor is done to achieve this end but community involvement has decreased the level of difficulty encountered. Jeh staff indicated that in most cases, community members also play a fair share in providing such resources.

Monitoring The staff has a set schedule of monitoring project site that allows site visitation twice a week. Official reporting however is conducted on working days. Informal reporting through connected kin and community member involvement in the project is also prevalent. In most cases, the staff indicated that the community knows about the project and in more ways than one help out at their given local capacity.

Participation Overall, the community is well notified. The necessary consultations have already been done with the appropriate stakeholders. This was already done by project manager Dwight at the beginning phase of the project. This along with the MOA and constant dialogue/communication with the mayors and community leaders/supervisors translated well when interviews were conducted with available project staff of Jeh who also fully know the roles they play. The staff had indicated that community support is very active and they are firm in their resolve that the entire community of Jeh knows what they are doing and more than anything, view it as a blessing for these few opportunities are rare. Thus, they are fully committed to its success. The community of Jeh even showcased the community’s initiative in this project and support. In most instances, the community members prepare the pilot site prior to the staff commencing their project activities. By the time they arrive, the site has already been prepared. They (community members) even provide the necessary working tools to the staff at their own expense due to tool shortage from broken equipment. Community participation wasn't the only means, local government participation was also present. Other than the local council which is tasked with distributing payment, the mayor of Ailinglaplap has been a principal figure in enhancing

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Impact Assessment Report: Ailinglaplap & Ebon ADB

participation across all sectors and level. Mayor Juaer Loeak accompanied the project manager and assistant to Jeh Island. A formal ceremony was held with community members including landowners (Alap) after the site visit consultation with Jeh staff in which Mayor Juaer Loeak once again deliberated on the purpose and importance of the project. Project manager Dwight Heine joined in as well with additional info to further stress the need to continue this project endeavor. The main message conveyed in these speeches was to drill it in them that success doesn't stop here and that the project must continue. Participation alone whether minimal (e.g.

Dialogue) or maximal (tools preparing site for cultivation) streamline information across the community and this was largely observed in the consultation and site visitation process.

Figure 1.4: Formal Ceremony at Jeh hosted by Mayor Juaer Loeak

Climate Change The interviewed staff understood the local meaning of climate change which translates to “Ukoktak in Mejatoto.� They have a primary understanding of the issue but most of their understanding is based on traditional means passed through environmental observations encountered. They have a firm understanding on the local connotations that climate change exhibit and a general understanding of the term due to primary observations on the matter experienced but have no recollection of national efforts and policies adopted so far by their government. The existing methods of communication are oral (Jitdam), telephone, and Walkie talkies (inter island). However, through project involvement, the Jeh staff are learning more and more about climate change, sustainable livelihood, economics, as well as social advancement through their active participation. As these staff members continue with the project, they assert that more and more is revealed to them and social advancement becomes more of a reality as they begin to educate themselves through their experiences and are also thus able to share such knowledge amongst kin and community members at large who are involved in the project.

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Impact Assessment Report: Ailinglaplap & Ebon ADB

Wages The pay alone despite being a mere 35 dollars a week for heavy labor is a highly praised component of the project. With it, new employees assert that they are able to provide basic needs for their families such as food and it has helped a lot. My interview with the 6 participants of Jeh showcased no evidence of domestic issues especially amongst the females. The lone female interviewed asserted that it has helped her family more than anything as she is also providing, a commendable act her husband and significant other even notices with praise. The men interviewed also expressed the same sentiment. If anything, this has improved the family relationship as well as spousal for their significant others are also benefiting from the fruits of the project staffs labor greatly reducing the financial burden placed in single working providing households. This has indirectly created a precedent where women can also be a breadwinner and has promoted a domestic environment where women and men can both work for their common betterment whether financial or social.

Difficulties Encountered • •

Slow disbursement of payment on local councils part Lack of tools

______________________________________________________________________________

2. Ailinglaplap: Jabwan/Airuk Justification/Sustainability Overall, like the crew in Jeh/Mejil, the crew believes that this project can be sustainable and see it as a source of future income for the community and regard it as a means of sustainable livelihood that can be extended to the future generations. They also view it as an excellent opportunity for social advancement, a resourceful means of income that can prevent observed out migration by Ailinglaplap residents who immigrate due to lack of paid jobs in their outer island location.

Impacts The general consensus is that since project invitation, collaboration and camaraderie has increased. The project has enhanced coordination efforts and cooperation. The supervisor notes that since the project has started, a noticeable working community has prospered amongst the working individuals and a sense of commitment and ownership is felt. The commitment level of the crew has increased to the point where observable impacts with the crew’s lifestyle has been strictly noticed. One of the main issues prior to project commencement was alcoholism. Since project has started, alcoholism has reduced amongst the crew members whose age span range from 25-60 greatly reducing alcohol dependency that was once observed to be a huge issue amongst the staff members and the church community prior to project commencement. The

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Impact Assessment Report: Ailinglaplap & Ebon ADB

project as explained by the Supervisor, has also helped local companies, the church, and the community at large.

Figure 1.5: Consultation with Jabwan/Aerrok Staff

The most commendable trait thus far expressed by the crew is how the project has weaved the community closer. As mentioned in the preceding paragraph, providing job opportunities reduces the potential for out migration due to lack of income. As the age span of the group (staff) ranges from 25-60+, the crew at aerrok/jenwan despite being male dominated creates a working environment conducive to greater appreciation and cooperation across all age groups working as equals whereas past traditions exclusively gave the elders a favored status in the traditional hierarchy. This indirectly promotes the idea that everyone gets the same rewards for the same work despite their age and relative rank in the traditional Marshallese hierarchy.

This approach by the crew to employ a wide spectrum of age groups promotes the idea of non discriminatory practices afforded in modern developed countries that favor youths and in traditional developing countries that promote the idea of the elders holding power over their youths which is a recurring problem in the Marshallese working environment (nepotism).

Integration A major step like that with the Jeh crew was the crew’s inclusive approach to agriculture where traditional methods are assimilated in the process. The practice of incorporating a stick and placing it in a semi diagonal position that secures the root of the crop has been helpful as a defense mechanism against livestock, a huge problem that occurred in Arno atoll where pigs destroyed the site there simply because the crops weren't nailed to the ground preventing its uproot by the pigs.

Monitoring Official reporting is conducted during workdays but crew observed site on a daily basis.

Monitoring daily was the norm but due to failure of check disbursement on a timely basis on the

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Impact Assessment Report: Ailinglaplap & Ebon ADB

local council’s part, the incentive to do it daily was greatly reduced. This is a clear indicator that the cash for work scheme component of this project was a major incentive in the successful completion of the project as it was the most praised feature of the project.

Participation The community has been largely involved. As mentioned, the church is also involved in the project. The community helps out the crew at their given local capacity. They provide tools and also assist in feeding and nurturing the crew at their respective project site. A differing approach adopted by the crew was using an all male crew. This however should not imply that women are not involved for in fact, this is the opposite. According to the project supervisor, the original intent was to use women but a meeting was held by the female community and it was decided by them that their sons and nephews should be tasked. This is a crucial component of the existing culture where the women play an advisory role and the heavy labor is done by the male offspring. The fact that the women themselves met and decided indicates female involvement with the planning of the project and also showcases female empowerment in a modern work setting. Additionally, it also indicates that women in the community are well notified of this project for overall consent was given by them to employ their male off springs rather than performing the jobs themselves. The local council is also heavily involved. Other than the agreed duties prescribed in the MOA, the local council also provided transportation for the project staff during the evaluation stages of the project. The church also provided a venue for consultations with the staff and project manager. During the consultation, project manager Dwight Heine was given an opportunity to stress yet again the importance of the project and why it should continue despite occurring difficulties in its path towards achievement.

Climate Change When asked about the issue of climate change, the crew immediately asserted that they understood what it meant but their knowledge is limited, particularly in regards to government national approaches already undergone. Their knowledge of the current economic environment of RMI is very high. They readily observe the out migration trends stemming from lack of jobs in their region hence why they promote this project without reservation. The inability of the crew (staff) to connect the project with the environmental consequences stemming from lack of knowledge due to insufficient communication networks showcases that current services such as information exchange remain stagnant and inadequate to meet the demands of the time.

Wages The issues with the crew of aerrok/jebwan remains the same as it was for Jeh. They complain about slow disbursement of payments or lack thereof. Most of their wages like that of the Jeh crew is used to purchase food and other needs.

Difficulties Encountered • •

Slow disbursement of payments on local councils part Lack of tools

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Impact Assessment Report: Ailinglaplap & Ebon ADB

______________________________________________________________________________

3. Ailinglaplap: Buoj Justification/Sustainability The general consensus by the community is that this project is very significant to island development as well as social advancement. They view it as a future source of income for the ongoing generations after them. They exact a level of commitment intended for success and envision the project to be a future contributor to the community's economy especially amongst the working class who will be afforded new job opportunities should project expand operation.

Their main question was whether the project will continue after trial runs its course because they view this project as something that can be extended to the future generation with relative ease given its tremendous success already experienced presently.

Figure 1.6: Group photo of Buoj crew

Impacts The general impact as was with the previous communities interviewed was better cooperation amongst peers and collective collaboration amongst the females and with members of the community. Project has initiated better community involvement. The community provides tools and food to the paid workers. The wages were also viewed as a vital impact to prevent out migration of Ailinglaplap locals to urban areas of Ebeye and Majuro who leave to seek paid job opportunities. The level of commitment exacted by the workers has also reduced the problem with alcoholism amongst the male crew members and has thus set examples to the community thus reducing alcoholism which was observed to be a recurring problem in Jenwan/Aerok as

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Impact Assessment Report: Ailinglaplap & Ebon ADB

well. There was also better involvement with local government officials. The Buoj police force was also actively involved. The pilot project has created an environment conducive to effective collaboration across all ages as is evident in the age span of the workers which range from 21-60.

Revival of traditional agricultural techniques was a major praised component of the project.

Since project commencement, several of the staff members were reintroduced to traditional methods that are no longer practiced. Some didn’t even know how to properly cut down a coconut tree prior to project commencement. The project has even improved domestic relationships as combined income of spouses has greatly reduced the financial burden currently facing their delicate and vulnerable economic situation. It has even exacted a level of commitment where staff members have utilized their own money to purchase fuel to cut trees using a chainsaw. The community again played an active role through supplying of tools and the landowners also help at their given local capacity.

Monitoring The monitoring is done once a week but as was with the other communities interviewed, reporting is officially done during agreed workdays. The community also monitors for the crew at their given local capacity.

Climate Change The Buoj community having internet satellite capabilities have a better understanding of the national situation of Climate Change. They admitted to understanding 75 percent of the concept but no formal understanding of government action thus far which was the dominant consensus in all sites consulted even in Ebon atoll.

Difficulties encountered •

• •

The major difficulties encountered since pilot commencement was slow disbursement of payments which was also reported in the other prior sites in Ailinglaplap particularly Jeh/Mejil and Aerok/Jenwan.

There was also problems with shortage of tools Livestock

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Impact Assessment Report: Ailinglaplap & Ebon ADB

______________________________________________________________________________

4. Ebon: Ebon

Figure 2.1: Ebon Atoll Map, courtesy of Dirk Spenneman

Climate Change The community on Ebon have some understanding of the term. They understand through primary observation the effects of climate change and understand it through their respective experiences. Some are familiar with the term and national endeavors undergone, some are not.

Impact The biggest impact of the project was community involvement. Interviewees asserted wholeheartedly that the project has brought the community closer. It has created an environment of cooperation and collaboration for the sake of communal welfare that is a deemed necessary realization in atoll island settings that are far too isolated from basic social services that would otherwise be provided to them if they resided in urban areas. Residents at the project site clean and prep the area. They also feed the workers at their own expense. The local police and council also assisted in the networking process required for effective consultation. They even provided the venue for the consultation as well as hosting a formal ceremony commencing the pilot project. The church was also heavily involved. In fact, it was the church deacon that commenced the ceremony which was hosted by the Mayor (Ione Debrum). The pilot project has also strengthened the existing female leadership. This project has enhanced the capabilities and capacity of the existing female networks and clubs who were tasked with the project. It has in a way empowered females and created an environment for female leadership in community

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Impact Assessment Report: Ailinglaplap & Ebon ADB

endeavors and community development. Females in the community who are club members have been able to extend their reach and influence since project commencement. The mayor (Ione Debrum), a female, was also heavily involved and assisted in the consultation process. Mayor Ione Deburm also voiced issues experienced that have hindered continued efforts to advance the project even further than the expected output originally intended.

Figure 2.2: Ebon Community Female Club Leadership commence ceremony

The excessive contribution of the community is evident with their planting of additional seeds at their own expense. The existing safety net of utilizing formal ceremonies to create a platform of dialogue was also done as was with the other communities. Observed participation of the Ebon proper community was well taken with community members stretching from the grass root level to the highest. The mayor of Ebon along with project manager Dwight Heine were given a platform to again stress the need of the project and its continued support during the formal ceremony hosted at the local council building. A formal statement from the Mayor of Ebon was also made stressing the need to continue the project. The project itself has employed a diverse group of people. The age span for the males are 26-62 and for the females 14-64. This has indirectly promoted a working environment that hires without discrimination of gender and age. It has also promoted a working environment that caters to both youths and senior citizens and creates an environment where they can effectively collaborate for their common betterment.

Wages The money earned from the project has also helped the community immensely. It has helped with securing basic needs such as food which was a recurring use of wage in all communities interviewed. Wages were also used to lend others money and pay debts owed to other locals. Another primary use for their pay was investment in their children’s education who go off to school in Jaluit Atoll for high school. Thus, education enhancement was not a project output reserved only amongst participants who actively communicated in the internal process.

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Impact Assessment Report: Ailinglaplap & Ebon ADB

Education enhancement was also indirectly promoted through external means in the way wages were used. For example, other than using it for tuition, the main consumption purpose of the wages was on food. It was unanimous amongst all stakeholders consulted that food was the primary purchase. The reason being is because purchasing food particularly imported food takes less time to make and prepare. Preparing traditional food and utilizing local resources is a hassle for any household. It might take hours of strenuous labor to provide a single meal for a family.

By purchasing imported food, families save time and effort and thus are able to commune freely in leisure activities they view are beneficial to their peaceful coexistence. For example, with spare times on their hands stemming from the ability to purchase imported food to feed their families, families are able to spend time together and enjoy each others’ company passing on knowledge orally or actively participating in other endeavors that would have been impossible had they been preparing food the old fashioned way. This may seem like a selfish route to most who wish to pioneer sustainable livelihood skills but it should be remembered that time and money are one in the same and a lot of time and effort is spent on preparing food through local means which greatly takes away family time. Wages have also improved domestic life as combined income has greatly reduced financial burden imposed on working fathers and mothers.

Figure 2.3: Ebon Ebon Staff Consultation, Ebon Mayor Ione Debrum (left) and Project Manager Dwight Heine (right)

Education The project has bred new techniques as well as revived traditional agriculture practices that are no longer practiced nor known. Interviewees asserted that since project commencement, they have acquired an array of agricultural knowledge. They now know how deep to dig a hole and how to properly space the coconut trees. This is a clear indicator that the pilot project has indirectly provided a space for cultural preservation by reintroducing sustainable methods of agriculture that is greatly deteriorating amongst the local populace simply because it is hardly practiced. The pilot project has provided an opportunity for interactive education that provides a formal network conducive to learning about socioeconomic issues pertaining to their respective community from a holistic perspective. In a nutshell, this project has created a system of resource and information exchange by creating a situation that forces people to work together in a community setting thus strengthening the existing local safety network currently practiced.

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Impact Assessment Report: Ailinglaplap & Ebon ADB

Integration Traditional methods were also utilized and integrated into the project. Some of these techniques were not known by the participants of the project. As was with the other communities, the community of Ebon also use coconut husks to trap in moisture as well as inserting sticks to secure the coconut seedling from being uprooted by livestock such as pigs which was a recurring problem in Arno. They also use old senile tree lumber sediments to also trap in additional moisture as well as making use of the lumber logs to create garden fences and pens to secure pigs from uprooting the crops.

Difficulties Encountered Ebon, Ebon is a very thick atoll. The project staff wishes to advance efforts but they need a bulldozer to clear land for cultivation as they are lacking manpower as current tools are insufficient to progress efforts. • Slow disbursement of tools ______________________________________________________________________________ •

5. Ebon: Toke Impact The general consensus as far as the site visitations and consultations goes is that the project has received commendable praise from community members who view it as an enriching resource exchange system built on the notion of collaboration. Since project commencement, the existing local communication structure has enhanced due to multiple figures being woven into a situation of exchange through collaborative practice. The collaboration required to complete the coconut replantation project by the staff members and their associated community bred and instilled the need of the community in larkeon Ebon to work together. Despite a meager 35 dollar weekly pay, it has enhanced social welfare according to all the participants who participated in the consultation survey. Cooperation has greatly increased and has enhanced local community efforts to help each other in need. The most commendable component of the project were the wages which generally enhanced their social welfare. A major impact of the pilot project observed in all Ebon communities is female empowerment. Upon arrival, as was in Ebon proper, a formal ceremony was hosted by the female community involved in the project where Project Manager Dwight Heine was given a platform to voice out the importance of the project’s success and its continuation. Female leadership was greatly presented in this ceremony as it was during this formal welcoming ceremony that the female community formally acknowledged the commendable intentions of the project and its associated successes that signify its importance.

The consultations undergone in Larkeon Ebon was split into two groups, the females and the males. As was with Ebon proper, the female community of Larkeon showcased greater participation and ambition with the project. Female empowerment was greatly observed in the consultation process with females greatly outnumbering the male faction and females being more vocal about the project activity.

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Impact Assessment Report: Ailinglaplap & Ebon ADB

Figure 2.4 : Consultation with female staff and community

Education was also an active component of the project as was with the previous communities observed. Through active participation in the project, the staff have learned an array of agriculture techniques that they had no prior knowledge of due to lack of practice. Some now know how to plant, properly nurse, and most importantly, some are being reintroduced to traditional methods of gardening that are very applicable to the local context particularly local resource constraints. The most prized component of the project as repeatedly mentioned by the crew was the pay. There was no observed domestic dispute between the female workers and their spouses as was with male workers and their spouses. In fact, participants readily admit that it has helped strengthened domestic relationships and ties as the income generated from the project has reduced the financial burden on their significant others. Overall, the project has successfully strengthened the existing local network enhancing communication across all levels. This was largely observed in the age groups of the participants whose female members age range from 2150+ and its male members age range from 19-49. The diverse selection of staff has created a working environment that is free of discrimination against teenagers as the current pilot project was even able to employ youths as young as 19.

Monitoring The monitoring of the project was done daily. The extensive commitment of the Ebon community observed on Ebon proper and on Larkeon was evident in the monitoring process where daily monitoring was practiced more than once a day surpassing even the commitments of the prior communities of Ailinglaplap observed. The monitoring itself is not only done by the crew (staff) but by the residents themselves on site who prep the sites.

Justification/Sustainability The community of Larkeon Ebon view the project with much positivism and pledge that they are able to maintain project success. They view it from experience as a system built on

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Impact Assessment Report: Ailinglaplap & Ebon ADB

expediting social services through job creation and network strengthening. Coconut is a major component of sustainable living not only because of job creation through copra production but also through product creation. Most of the people on Ebon atoll survive off of coconut oil for cooking and for personal hygiene. Coconut oil has multiple uses particularly amongst females who produce them and have a source of home production.

Climate Change The observed trend so far is that Climate Change is understood in local terms. They readily experience the impacts and know of the Marshallese term “Ukoktak in Mejatoto” but lack the scientific depth. They have no prior knowledge of government activity taken so far other than what’s being done locally by their respective communities.

Figure 2.5: Ebon Atoll Picture Collage

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Impact Assessment Report: Ailinglaplap & Ebon ADB

Conclusion &Recommendations Site visitation and consultation procedures detailed immense success amongst the communities of Ailinglaplap and Ebon despite notable resource constraints due to relative isolation from the capital. Although the pilot project has enhanced the existing networks of resource and information exchange and has incidentally formalized several local safety nets, discrepancies were still noted particularly amongst local communications between the staff and local council. It is recommended that in future trials of this project, that communication links be further strengthened through formalization of roles. A major praised component of the project was the payment and the slow disbursement of payment greatly reduced morale and incentives amongst the crew members of Ailinlaplap. It is recommended that the project management unit enhance level of communications even from the capital. Radio announcements nationwide should be promoted not only as a form of notification but for motivation of staff. Radio announcement should also provide an opportunity to communicate the latest science and issues relevant to the project components particularly in enhancing knowledge amongst the staff.

Increasing incentives is key. Radio broadcasting commending efforts from the capital (Ministry of Internal Affairs) will boost an already enthusiastic morale which will continue their path of success as well as increasing the project outcomes through collective ownership. Radio announcement showcasing the roles people play in the project and its purpose should also provide a level of transparency to project participants tasked in its completion across all levels.

As there were multiple complaints with slow disbursement of payments from their local councils, radio announcements detailing roles should provide a measure of transparency to these outer island communities. ADB and project management unit as well as the Ministry of R&D should greatly consider formalizing and strengthening communication. As radio is currently the widest form of media, it is suggested that radio broadcasting detailing the project and who’s involved and what roles they play be initiated and it should follow a strict timeline and schedule to allow easier access to information. It was generally agreed by all evaluators even the Project Manager that local council needs to be more efficient in their given task. This can be done by further formalizing the roles. The MOA prescribed detailed the roles but was insufficient in enforcing them particularly roles of local councils involving disbursements of payments. As transportation and communication remain a major issue for outer islands given their relative isolation and considering it is hard for the Project Management Unit to monitor such discrepancies, it is highly recommended that roles prescribed in the MOA be further formalized either through strict scheduling of payments or having the checks premade already made out to the staff with a stop payment mechanism in place. In conjunction with radio announcement for greater transparency of roles publicly, this should greatly reduce the issue of slow disbursement on the local council’s part. The wages were the greatest incentives of the project. Thus, measures to protect the workers’ wages must be strictly enforced and ensured.1

1

DISCLAIMER: It was observed that lack of payment and slow disbursement maybe attributed to debts concurred by workers. Project Management Unit has taken all necessary steps at his given capacity to address this claim

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Impact Assessment Report: Ailinglaplap & Ebon ADB

Appendices Appendix 1: Questionnaire Guideline Impacts 1.

How has this project helped you in terms of social advancement and sustainable livelihood (improving overall welfare for those involved as well as the community at large)?

It has helped immensely

It has helped somewhat

It has helped a little

It has not helped at all

Indicators: Personal social/economic advancement of

project staff has enhanced. Community is fully invested in project, know and play their roles in it success, and view it as a present and future source of their community’s economy. Community also views the project as a major benefit to the present community as well as potentially ensuring the same level of success in the future if carried out accordingly.

Indicators: It has promoted the social welfare of all parties involved and to a certain extent, its community. Some members of the community also reap the benefits of the project along with those involved.

Indicators: It has promoted the social welfare of the current people involved in the project only. The community has not benefited

Indicators: Social welfare of current staff employed and community essentially remains the same overall and unaffected by the project endeavor

Describe impacts:

2.

How has this project engaged the community in participation?

It has helped immensely

It has helped somewhat

It has helped a little

Indicators: Members in community are actively engaged in project monitoring, completion, and evaluation. All members across the age spectrum in the community each play a role in the project in regards to their existing local capabilities.

Indicators: Some members of the community have become involved and are active alongside the project crew.

Indicators: The only participants are the same people that are involved in the project directly (Either through employment or as a necessary stakeholder)

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Impact Assessment Report: Ailinglaplap & Ebon ADB

It has not helped at all

Indicators: The project is just there and the community showcases no interest at all in its purpose or potential for that matter. They seem to be unaffected by the initiation of the project.

Describe participation methods:

Monitoring 3.

How often do you monitor the site?

More than once a Day

Daily

Weekly

Monthly

Describe Monitoring procedure: 4.

Aside from the Project Staff, who else monitors the site?

Everyone

Indicators: Active participation of community at large.

Every community member plays a role in the project according to their locally ascribed conditions and limitations

Project Staff (Stakeholders included) and some members of the Community

Indicators: Staff and Stakeholders engage community in its endeavor and some members of community are actively involved in the project

Project Staff (Stakeholders included)

Indicators: Only the project people (stakeholders included) benefit from the project. The community very much views the project as an opportunity for the few selected few and invest very little in its completion or preservation

Indicators: Regardless of job creation, the project has created no impacts. It has left the community unaffected and disinterested altogether.

Project Staff only

Describe:

Justification/Sustainability 5.

Do you view this project as sustainable in the long run considering the existing resources of the community?

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Impact Assessment Report: Ailinglaplap & Ebon ADB

Very Sustainable

Description: Project is sustainable locally and nationally and do not require more than what has already been stipulated or deemed necessary for project success.

Somewhat Sustainable

Description: Project is sustainable locally and nationally with and only with outside help other than the local and national aid already afforded to the community.

Not Sustainable at all

Description: This project has no hope of being sustained realistically given the community’s current capacity.

Data 6.

How often do you collect data?

More than once a Day

Daily

Weekly

Monthly

Describe: 7.

Are there any existing local methods of collecting data that don’t require western instruments that have recently been utilized and integrated?

Yes

No

Describe local (native) methods:

Communication 8.

If a problem with the project site was identified, how are the necessary people notified?

Formal Methods/procedures (Standardized approaches and procedures)

Informal Local Methods/procedures (Informal Safety Nets)

Both Formal and Informal methods/procedures are used. Informal methods have thus been formalized in the process and new initiated approaches stemming from new situations has also been integrated in the overall

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Impact Assessment Report: Ailinglaplap & Ebon ADB

administration process Describe Communication methods: 9.

How fast are they notified?

Very Fast: The problem is immediately identified and immediately addressed in accordance to existing capabilities

Somewhat Fast: The problem is identified but not often always immediately addressed

Very Slow: The problems are hardly reported nor are they ever addressed

Describe: 10. Assuming there has been an incident, how was it handled and how efficient was its handling?

Very Efficient: Streamlining local capabilities and resources was met with relative ease and problem(s) was easily addressed utilizing local capabilities as well as aid offered from outside sources (non-community: ADB, National Government, etc)

Somewhat Efficient: Streamlining local capabilities and resources was met with some difficulty and took some time to adjust, apply, and ultimately integrate into the existing project in question

Inefficient all together: There is a huge disconnect between the community and the project donors/leaders .Local capabilities (community) are blurred due to this disconnect with their donors (non-community). There is no strengthened mode of communication or understanding to efficiently handle the project components and ensure its success and its overall acceptance. There is a lack of community involvement in this community driven project. This general lack of synchronicity between the planners (Stakeholders/Project Staff) creates a very inefficient system because communication is greatly reduced.

Describe:

Constraints 11. How in tune is the community with national and global issues specifically economic/scientific ones?

Very In tune: Community members have access to global and national information and have the means to understand them and apply them to their present context thus fully understanding the depths and severity of this pilot project

Somewhat in tune: Community has a minimal but general understanding of the present situation and apply their understanding accordingly but often

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Impact Assessment Report: Ailinglaplap & Ebon ADB

times need guidance and more technical assistance.

Out of tune: The Community has no understanding of the project and its components at all or the overall significance of the endeavor given their lack of access to this information. Communities demonstrate no interest in the project and understand very little of it, all they know is that the project exists and that it is being handled by the project staff. The general mentality of the community is to leave it in the project staff/stakeholders hands.

Describe:

12. Is the existing community capable of sustaining this project at a rate that would also conserve traditional methods of living?

Yes: The existing community is more than capable of sustaining this project at their present given capabilities/resources.

No: The existing community cannot sustain this project without outside Aid.

Maybe: The existing community could be more than capable if the people are afforded the proper resources. Additionally, it can be achieved only if this project integrates traditional methods of living that are beneficial to the livelihood of the community and serve as a safety net should the existing project in question become undeliverable by local hands only. As the project’s main component is to protect vulnerable groups, it is best to maintain traditional methods of livelihood in the process that fill the performance gap that is easily afforded to outer island atolls that have limited capabilities due to lack of access to resources

Describe: 13. Does the community have access to resources necessary to carry out this endeavor realistically?

Yes: All that is needed is already provided

No: It is impossible to do it without outside help or without the existing resources given to the community by donors. Technical expertise is also severely needed.

Maybe: Atoll life is unpredictable just as the economy and world politics are. It is impossible to know fully yet because this project is still in its very early stages and thus is still in pilot mode.

Describe:

Formalization 14. Has this project initiated formalization of informal safety nets deemed beneficial for the community at large as formalizing them ultimately means strengthening them?

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Impact Assessment Report: Ailinglaplap & Ebon ADB

Yes: Some Informal safety nets have been integrated and formalized into the existing administrative structure of the project which has overall strengthened the existing informal safety net system

No: No informal safety nets have been integrated. Project staff has strictly followed its own administrative procedures.

Describe: 15. Aside from the project specifications and intended purposes describing administrative roles of required personnel, has the community and project staff initiated the creation of formalizing the existing informal safety nets to strengthen communication?

Yes: Since project has started, a number of informal safety net procedures have been integrated to the existing project’s administrative structure. This has strengthened the existing informal safety net procedures and has enhanced local capabilities running a more efficient pilot project overall.

No: No attempt has been made. Whether it be coincidence that an informal safety net was formalized, it seems unnoticeable or the people are largely unaffected by its formalization regardless.

Describe:

Suggestions/Improvements 16. How can this project be improved to better address the community’s needs?

Comments: 1.

2.

Ask what they use their wages for.

Ask whether employment has fostered domestic issues with staff particularly the females.

Appendix 2: Consultation Attendees Jeh Community: Consultation conducted on August 23, 2014 Name Nolla Baso Manneth Horiuchi Tulious Henty Danty Henty Bajon Bajo Gusty Katadrik

Aerrok/Jebwan Name Russel Clement Beyon Katjang Dickson Samson Desmond Riklon Romy Mannuer Lati Jibon

Gender F M M M M M

Task(s)/Role(s) Nursery/Planter Nursery/Planter/Cutter Nursery/Planter Nursery/Planter Nursery/Planter Nursery/Planter Community: Consultation conducted on August 24, 2014 Gender Task(s)/Role(s) M Planter M Nursery M Cutter M Cutter M Cutter M Nursery

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Impact Assessment Report: Ailinglaplap & Ebon ADB

Joyed Johmy Christian Samson Nilo Akeang Kedi Kedibar Jomi Rona Laji Riklong Woja Samson Jelkan Jelkan Juda Manwe Boaz Clement Brandon Paul Job Langidrik Rocky Rakin Walter Kedibar James Langidrik Thomas Obet Albin Sam Danny Samuel Thomas Rona Johnny Johnny Villiamo Lutler True Lati Mike Kebeuli Moses Aidrikdrik Leija Kedibar David Sam Lenne Paul

Buoj Name Thompson Asaki Stevenson Akira David Stanley Kelen Chrlie Anien Raynold Timus Nijab Kanes Peterson Lat Senior Aloka Jina Lobo Taknes Antolok Susan Loeak Jula Loeak Jinen Kajidrik Jao Antolok Tino Kajidrik Jormeto Timius Heniso Damet Tama David Chinny Samuel Numota Watak Lia Lobon Jokmej David

M Cutter M Cutter M Planter M Nursery M Planter M Cutter M Cutter M Nursery M Supervisor M Planter M Planter M Cutter M Cutter M Cutter M Cutter M Cutter M Planter M Cutter M Nursery M Planter M Planter M Nursery M Planter M Cutter M Cutter M Nursery M Nursery Community: Consultation conducted on August 25, 2014 Gender Task(s)/Role(s) M Cutter M Planter M Cutter M Cutter M Planter M Cutter M Cutter M Planter M Planter M Cutter M Cutter M Cutter F Nursery F Nursery F Nursery M Planter M Planter M Planter M Cutter F Nursery F Nursery F Nursery F Nursery M Cutter

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Impact Assessment Report: Ailinglaplap & Ebon ADB

Temita David

F

Nursery

Ebon, Ebon Community: Consultation conducted on August 26, 2014 Name Alice Thomspon Elina Rubon Benu Joshua Madlyn Jokaidrik Hemiko Term Kalorina Lalio Many Alik Miriam Kebos Julynn Rubon Hellty Jerny Hatty Ebel Gloria Term Menelap Libokmeto Adella Lanwi Rina Kilmej Kimie Majidreb Rosty Lat Almi Lukot Eskela Emel Ivy Wajar Meko Term Miam Joseph Lynn Edward Hemry Term Charity Wajar Lorie Milne Talwin Herkinos Rubon Rubon Riem Edward Claude Makroro Julio Maun Lotey Jacklick Jolie Edward Gene Term Hesa Kiboi Jorra Hosia Samuel Batin Promise Lanwi Edwin Jurelang Winda Herkinos Steve Laeo Baj Atdrik Yoshi Term Bantol Jorlang Franky Herkinos

Take Name Elisa Helai Sana Boaz

Gender Task(s)/Role(s) F Planter F Planter F Planter F Planter F Planter F Planter F Planter F Planter F Planter F Planter F Planter F Planter F Planter F Planter F Planter F Planter F Planter F Planter F Planter F Planter F Planter F Planter F Planter F Planter F Planter F Planter M Nursery M Nursery M Cutter M Nursery M Cutter M Cutter M Cutter M Supervisor M Nursery M Supervisor M Cutter M Nursery M Nursery M Supervisor M Cutter M Cutter M Cutter M Cutter M Cutter Community: Consultation conducted on August 27, 2014 Gender Task(s)/Role(s) F Planter F Planter

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Impact Assessment Report: Ailinglaplap & Ebon ADB

Darlene James Darcy Clement Cathy Luther Luen Kalines Marina Torean Jabot Latdrik Mine Hosia Talmeto Jetton Wilma Silk Neilek Thomas Bolines Clement Kangin Clement Gabriel Jantej Kasty Johhny Kesai Lanej Jerio Tome Illegible (see Figure 2.6 Below for confirmation) Richard Hosia Joe Kijenmej

F F F F F F F F F F F F M M M M M M M M

Planter Planter Planter Planter Planter Planter Planter Planter Planter Planter Planter Planter Cutter Cutter Planter Cutter Cutter Nursery Cutter

Figure 2.6: Sign-Up Sheet for Take, Ebon Consultation

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Impact Assessment Report: Ailinglaplap & Ebon ADB

Respectfully Submitted by: ____________________ Desmond N. Doulatram Local Consultant Reviewed by: ____________________ Dwight Heine Project Manager Endorsed by: ____________________ Juaer Loeak Mayor of Ailinglaplap ____________________ Ione Debrum Mayor of Ebon

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