Drought assistance for Tuvalu

Australia is supporting Tuvalu’s response to drought and acute water shortages with $500,000 of assistance.

The Australian Government is working with the Government of Tuvalu and partners including New Zealand, Japan, and United Nations agencies to secure Tuvalu’s water production and storage needs.

Australia’s support will transport emergency relief items to improve water security and deliver supplies in a COVID-safe way, including mobile desalination consumables and items for water purification and storage.

Up to $100,000 of this assistance will be directed to UNICEF’s water and sanitation activities which are run in partnership with local providers, particularly in communities most affected by water shortages.

Australia is standing shoulder to shoulder with Pacific island countries in response to the climate change crisis.

Tuvalu is a longstanding and valued partner of Australia. Australia spent an estimated $13.8 million in official development assistance in Tuvalu in 2021-22 supporting education, health, economic governance, the Tuvalu Trust Fund and climate change resilience.

Quote attributable to Minister for International Development and the Pacific, the Hon Pat Conroy MP:

“The people and Government of Tuvalu can rely on Australia in a crisis, as a steadfast partner and fellow member of the Pacific family.”