INSULAR AFFAIRS

The Office of Insular Affairs (OIA) carries out the responsibilities of the Secretary related to the U.S. Virgin Islands, Guam, American Samoa, the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands (CNMI), the Republic of Palau, the Republic of the Marshall Islands, and the Federated States of Micronesia. The mission of the Office of Insular Affairs is to promote the economic, social, and political development of the insular areas. The Office also serves as a focal point within the Administration for developing and coordinating responses to issues that arise in relations between the Federal Government and the four territorial governments.


The Office of Insular Affairs provides both financial and technical assistance to the insular areas on many complex and politically sensitive issues covering all aspects of governmental operations. Grants are provided for small technical assistance projects as well as major construction projects, and require continuous management and monitoring. Examples of these grants include: grants for construction of hospitals, sewer systems, water systems, power systems, roads, ports, airports, and school systems; grants for anti-drug activities and crime control; grants to enhance health care and public safety; grants to improve education; and grants to assist the governments in becoming self-sufficient.