/59748.tmb-300v.png?sfvrsn=9885965b_2 "For the future - publication thumbnail")
People in need
Affected population: 33 885 (total Chuuk State population); 26 805 in Chuuk Lagoon region (including Weno) and 7 080 on the outer islands (Mortlocks & Northwest).
Typhoon Sinlaku
From 9-12 April 2026, Super Typhoon Sinlaku, one of the strongest typhoons recorded this year, left a trail of destruction across several islands of Chuuk State, in the Federated States of Micronesia. Tens of thousands of residents were displaced, as the typhoon damaged homes, downed power lines, and destroyed food crops and water sources.
WHO deployed staff to join government-led assessments to identify urgent health needs and risks, and coordinated the rapid delivery of emergency supplies to health needs and prevent potential disease outbreaks in affected areas across Chuuk State.
Situation at a glance
Priority health needs
Priority needs: continuity of chronic non-communicable disease medication; safe water and sanitation; measles catch-up vaccination; outbreak detection.
Casualties & Displacements
Five deaths confirmed and one person reported missing. Over 4000 people are sheltering in more than 20 active evacuation shelters.
A snapshot of emergency response actions
Ensuring essential health service continuity
WHO prioritized the restoration and continuity of essential health services at community and primary care levels — including re-establishing service delivery through outer-island dispensaries and community health centres.
Providing essential medical supplies
WHO coordinated the rapid delivery of emergency health kits, diarrhoeal disease kits, safe water containers, and dengue rapid diagnostic tests to meet urgent health needs and prevent potential disease outbreaks.
Enabling multisectoral collaboration
WHO leveraged its convening power to bring together local health partners, in collaboration with FSM Department of Health and Social Affairs and Chuuk State Department of Health Services — to support coordinated health response actions.
/countries/micronesia-federated-states-of/sinlaku-response-(1).png?sfvrsn=6065ec3e_3 "Typhoon Sinlaku response")
Watch: WHO supports field assessments of the health impacts of Typhoon Sinlaku
/countries/micronesia-federated-states-of/who-response.jpg?sfvrsn=bb33c77c_3 "WHO emergency response to typhoon Sinlaku")
WHO response timeline
/countries/micronesia-federated-states-of/sinlaku-response_final.png?sfvrsn=7f57a664_3 "Typhoon Sinlaku emergency response timeline")
Health partners
The Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade Australia
