A Permanent Exhibit "The Republic of the Marshall Islands and the United States: A Strategic Partnership" The History of the RMI's Bilateral Relationship with the United States

1. Introduction   2.WWII   3.Trust Territory   4. Nuclear Testing 5. Testing Effects 6. Resettlement 7. Constitution 8. RMI HOMEPAGE

Resettlement

Today, the Bikinians, the Rongelapee, and the Enjebi community from Enewetals still have not returned to their home atolls. The Bikinians reside on Kili, a single island with no lagoon and rough seas for many months of the year. The Rongelapese reside on Mejatto, Kwajalein, Ebeye and Majuro. The Enjebi people live primarily on Davor.

	Because Rongelap remained too dangerous for human habitation after the Bravo shot, the Rongelapese were resettled on Ejit Island, Majuro Atoll, for 3 years.
	The Utirikese were returned to their home atoll 3 months after the Bravo test.
	The U.S. Navy returned the Rongelapese to their home atoll in 1957, three years after the Bravo test. In 1985, concerns about the health consequences of lingering radiation in the environment led the Rongelapese to leave their home atoll for a second time.
	The U.S. Government constructed homes for the return of the Rongelapese people in 1957.
	1946. Rongelap Atoll prior to the testing program. The people of Rongelap and Utirik were evacuated from their home atolls following acute exposure to radioactive fallout from nuclear tests.
	Today, the Bikinians still have not returned to their home atoll. They reside on Kili, a single island with no lagoon and rough seas for many months of the year. A traditional lifestyle, one that depends largely on marine and natural resources, is difficult to maintain on Kili.
	People throughout the Marshall Islands are concerned about the effects of radiation on future generations. According to many Marshallese communities, severe deformities, such as this girl from Ailuk Atoll who has no knees, a missing arm, and three toes on each foot, did not exist prior to the weapons testing program. Although, Ailuk and Likrip Atolls are located outside of the geographic area defined as "exposed," the people vividly remember the radioactive fallout that dusted their islands.

1. Introduction   2.WWII   3.Trust Territory   4. Nuclear Testing 5. Testing Effects 6. Resettlement 7. Constitution 8. RMI HOMEPAGE