MARSHALL ISLANDS: Social And Economic Baseline Survey of Jenrok Village

Most people of Jenrok Village do not have good access to water, sewer and power services although living on the capital island of the Republic of the Marshall Islands. Jenrok has the highest population density in the RMI with 1,847 persons, 65% under the age of 25, living in 215 households, according to a recent survey. The report, "The Social And Economic Baseline Survey of Jenrok Village," by Ben Chutaro, was sponsored by the The International Waters Project in close cooperation with RMI government offices, as a pilot activity focusing on waste management at the community level. "There are very few opportunities available to the people of Jenrok, not only in terms of jobs, but also access to key essential services, that are directly linked to the declining living standards," states the report. Read the Executive Summary and download the Final Report (with photos/charts ( PDF). View report photos in the "Hardship in Jenrok" Photo Ablum. >>>>
Social And Economic Baseline Survey - Jenrok Village

1. EXECUTIVE SUMMARY

1.1 Profile of Jenrok Village
Jenrok Village is part of Darit, Uliga and Delap (D.U.D.) district of Majuro Atoll, the capital of the Republic of the Marshall Islands (RMI). Jenrok is located between Rita and Delap Villages. The total land area of Jenrok Village is .0251 square miles with residential homes occupying 95% of the land. There are 5 separate weto’s or land parcels, which are owned by four separate traditional landowners or Alaps who directly report to one Iroij (Chief). A councilman also represents the Jenrok on Majuro Atoll Local Government Council who is elected every 4 year. There are a total of 215 households identified in Jenrok. The survey team was able to survey 195 households or 90%. The average household size is 9.47 person per household.

1.2 Population and Migration
It appears that Jenrok has the highest population density in the RMI: 87,952 persons per square mile. The estimated population of Jenrok Village is 1,847 persons with a very young population profile with 65% being under the age of 25. Jenrok represents 8% of Majuro’s total population and 3% of the total population in the RMI. 81% of Jenrok’s population comes from mostly Mili and Arno atolls. Also during the 12 months of 2003, 190 people migrated to the United States under the free immigration provisions of the US/RMI Compact Agreement.

1.3 House Structure and Amenities
Most of the homes are built with imported timber and concrete with roofs made out of corrugated tin. Most of the homes are of basic design with an average 2.2 rooms. Majority of the homes surveyed appeared to be in very poor condition. About half the households have common household appliances, such as fans, refrigerators, kerosene stoves and radios, but it is not indicative of affluence. Many still continue to cook outdoors using fire pits and wash cloths in basins. Many of the homes are not hooked up to public utilities: electricity, water, sewer and telephone. Jenrok has the lowest coverage as percentage of subscribers to public utilities on all of Majuro Atoll.

There are only 121 households with 56% are hooked up to electricity. Of that 56%, about two-thirds of the households are 90 days delinquent on their bills. Although, the coverage is very low, many of the households without electricity often tap their neighbor’s electrical meter for power.

Water coverage is even lower. Less than half of the households are hooked up to the city water. About two-thirds of the households are 90 days behind on their bills. Therefore there is a heavy reliance on well and water caught from rain using the roof to catch the rainwater. About 59% of the homes have some sort of water storage tank ranging in size, but the average size of the tank is 750 gallons. Also it is not uncommon to see 55-gallon fuel drums being used for water storage.

About 75% of the households have toilets, but 67% are connected to underground septic system, which are not design to be drained but rather the waste seeps into the ground table. Only 5 households in the survey were hooked up to the city sewer system.

1.4 Economic Well-being
There is evidence to support that most families in Jenrok cannot meet their daily basic needs. The increased demands of large households have put considerable stress on those working. The number of persons per households could swell to 20 persons at any given time and especially during the summer months when inter island travel is high.1 The average number of persons working per household is 1.8 persons. The survey showed an average wage of $2.57 an hour. The current minimum wage allowed by law is $2.00 an hour.

To help pay for their basic needs and other obligations, many families are increasingly taking out loans.2 About 53% of the households in Jenrok have a loan or credit account with one of the stores or banks on Majuro. 65% pay their credits accounts or loans by using the allotment system.3

Debt to Income ratios in Jenrok is estimated to around 38%. The average monthly debt repayment per household is $315.00. The number of loan defaults from Jenrok residents as reported by the Bank of Marshall Islands is one of the highest in the RMI.

The unemployment rate is estimated to be at 47% (national average 31.1%4). Unemployment is particularly high, especially among males between 20-35. Unemployment among youth is staggeringly high at 79%.

The creation of jobs would help improve economic well-being of the people of Jenrok, but the future job market looks bleak. Nearly three quarters of the 50 companies surveyed in the capital have no plans for new hires. Many of the companies doubt the new Compact will improve the economy in the long term.

The survey showed that women are now the breadwinners for many of the households in Jenrok. Approximately 64% of the Jenrok workforce is comprised of women. Most women work in the fish processing plants and food service industry earning mostly minimum wages.
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1 Many households play host to their outer island families throughout the year
2 Loans taken out with Bank of Marshall Islands and Bank of Guam pay on average 18-21% APR and amortized for no more than two years. Average loans taken is $3,500.00
3 Allotment system started with the government in the late 1980’s as a way to guarantee payments to creditors from their employees. Now it is a widely accepted system accepted by both government and private employers.
4 Based on the 1999 Census

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Download: Social and Economic Baseline Survey Jenrok Village - PDF File