Tuvalu

In fall 2011, an acute fresh water shortage in Tuvalu affected Funafuti, Nanumaga, and Nukulaelae atolls. The country has limited availability of groundwater due to the small land area of the islands, depletion of freshwater sources by residents, and saltwater infiltration. Rainwater catchment and tank storage mechanisms exist on all islands; however, they are insufficient or require maintenance. Between September 23 and 25, 2011, an assessment team comprising representatives from the Government of Tuvalu National Disaster Management Office, Secretariat of the Pacific Community, and Tuvalu Red Cross Society visited Nukulaelae and confirmed the acute fresh water shortage. On October 5, 2011, U.S. Chargé d’Affaires, a.i., for Fiji, Kiribati, Nauru, Tonga, and Tuvalu Douglas A. Morris declared a disaster due to the effects of the fresh water shortage. In response, USAID/OFDA provided $50,000 to the U.N. Development Program for a desalination unit to provide safe drinking water to affected individuals.

USG HUMANITARIAN FUNDING PROVIDED IN FY 2012

*This figure includes funding for both disaster response and disaster risk reduction activities. (As of August 13, 2012)

East Asia and the Pacific DRR Fact Sheet #1 (281kb PDF) and map (179kb PDF)