Interior’s Office of Insular Affairs Celebrates Completion of Colonia Wellness Center in Yap, Micronesia

WASHINGTON – The United States (U.S.) Department of the Interior’s Office of Insular Affairs applauds the completion of the Colonia Wellness Center in Yap in the Federated States of Micronesia (FSM). The project was jointly funded by the United States government through the Compact of Free Association and the Government of Japan to support and benefit the people of Yap.

“We are excited to see the opportunities for health care management that can be provided in this newly constructed facility for the families of Yap and are pleased to partner with Yap and the FSM in this tangible way,” said Deputy Assistant Secretary Keone Nakoa.

Aerobics area in the recently constructed Colonia Wellness Center	Gym room with exercise equipment

The Colonia Wellness Center in Nimar, Weloy, Yap is a one-story structure with approximately 2,865 square feet of floor area that houses a reception area, a lounge, a gym, an aerobics area, an administrative office, showers and locker rooms, training and conference rooms, storage, and other screening and evaluation areas. Planned and designed to help develop and grow a stronger community, the center serves as a location where people may participate in physical activity classes such as zumba or yoga; learn about nutrition and other health topics; receive health screenings for blood pressure, cholesterol, and A1C; monitor personal health progress; and the like.

The building was constructed and furnished with Compact of Free Association infrastructure sector grants of $373,000 as jointly approved by the bilateral Joint Economic Management Committee. Additional grant funding of $90,000 was provided by the Government of Japan’s Grassroots Grant Program. All grant funding provided under the Compact of Free Association is distributed and managed by the Department of the Interior’s Office of Insular Affairs.

For additional photos of the Colonia Wellness Center please visit the Office of Insular Affairs on Facebook. All pictures and information have been shared as a courtesy by the FSM National Government and Yap State Project Management Offices.

The Assistant Secretary of Insular and International Affairs and the Office of Insular Affairs (OIA) carry out the Secretary of the Interior’s responsibilities for the U.S. territories of American Samoa, Guam, the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands, and the U.S. Virgin Islands. Additionally, OIA administers and oversees federal assistance under the Compacts of Free Association to the Federated States of Micronesia, the Republic of the Marshall Islands, and the Republic of Palau. OIA also administers a discretionary Technical Assistance Program for all the insular areas. Find information about OIA and its work on www.doi.gov/oia, Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, and YouTube.

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