Marshall Islands Country Report

The Marshall Islands are located just north of the Equator in the Pacific Ocean, slightly west of the International Date Line. The country consists of two chains of coral atolls, together with more than 1,000 islets. The islands share maritime boundaries with the Federated States of Micronesia to the west, Wake Island to the north, Kiribati to the southeast, and Nauru to the south. There are no particular concerns from conflict, terrorism or civil unrest in the islands and no major threats to political stability, although corruption is chronic. Levels of criminal activity are low and violent crime is rare, although there remains a threat from opportunistic theft.

The only international airport is located in Majuro. There are some concerns over the safety of overland travel in the Marshall Islands. Driving habits and skills vary, and roads are plagued with hazards. The islands face an array of potential natural disasters including tsunamis, typhoons/tropical storms, coastal flooding, and drought. The typhoon season typically occurs between November and April, although the country can experience storms year-round.

There are no particular concerns from conflict, terrorism or civil unrest in the islands. Levels of criminal activity are low and violent crime is rare, although there remains a threat from opportunistic theft. There have also been reports of residential break-ins, although these have generally remained non-violent. Demonstrations over political and socio-economic grievances are also uncommon and generally remain peaceful.

There are no major concerns over air travel. The only international airport is Marshall Islands International Airport (MAJ) in Majuro.

Driving habits and skills vary, and roads are plagued with hazards including roaming animals.

The ports are considered efficient.

Utilities are of fair standard and widely available.

Cybercrime is not a serious concern.

The islands have a warm, tropical climate with two different seasons. A dry season between December and April, and a rainy season from May to November. The Marshall Islands are highly vulnerable to coastal flooding and landslides during the rainy season. The islands are vulnerable to storm systems during the cyclone season between November and April. Earthquakes occur occasionally but are mostly of moderate intensity and do not tend to cause significant damage or casualties. World War II-era explosive remnants of war continue to affect some of the Marshall Islands’ atolls such as Mili and Maloelap but accidents involving these are relatively rare.

Medical facilities in the Marshall Islands are generally considered adequate for routine treatment and minor injuries. However, more serious cases or injuries may require evacuation, typically to Hawaii. Pharmacies are present in urban centers but less so on smaller islands and some specialist prescription drugs may not be available. Tap water is generally not considered safe to drink. Travelers’ diarrhea is the most common ailment among travelers. Zika and Dengue fever outbreaks have also been reported in recent years.

The Marshall Islands is a presidential republic with no major threats to stability. However, corruption in the country is chronic, as political and economic interests are often intertwined. The court system is not free from corruption and may be affected by political interference. The police force is also poorly trained and lacks the equipment, incentives and proper transportation to respond to incidents outside of urban centers.