TUVALU-NEWS.TV

On 13th of Oct 2011, the Government of Japan decided to provide, as an urgent measure, approximately 8 million JP\ (100,000US$) to purchase spare parts to repair the current desalination plants in Tuvalu and ensure the sustainable water supply. One of the desalination plants in Tuvalu was provided by the Government of Japan in 1999.
In addition to this short-term remedy, the Pacific Environment Community (PEC) Fund, which was established by the Government of Japan based on PALM 5 in 2009, approved the project that provides three desalination plants for Tuvalu. One of them is solar-powered and will produce desalinated water of 100m3/day. It is expected to contribute to resolve Tuvalu’s water shortage without depending upon fossil fuel.

On 10th of October 2011, warplane of Royal New Zealand Air Force which puts desalination equipment came down at the Funafuti international airport. This desalination equipment which has about 40t-50t water manufacturing capacity a day was supported by the New Zealand Aid for the acute water shortage of Tuvalu. If this equipment moves smoothly, that means it can provide about 10l water per person a day in theory in addition to the water provided by the existing desalination equipment.
However, it is a temporary support because it has a time limit about one month same as the desalination equipment which was already brought to Nukulaelae island. Therefore, they might need another desalination or some other support if this water shortage were prolonged. Protraction of this water shortage and a possibility that such a water shortage will happen again are also fully considered, and support of the installed type desalination equipment and the water-supply truck etc. which carry the water made from the desalinization equipment will be desired in the future.

Tuvalu unusually face to an acute water shortage this year. The situation is getting more worth especially in three out of nine islands, the capital Funafuti, Vaitupu and Nukulaelae. In September 2011, the Disaster Management Department declared the state of emergency because of this water shortage.
Capital Funafuti has a desalination plant donated by Japan and people in Funafuti usually buy water from there when their water stock has diminished. However, because of acute water shortage in this time, it is getting impossible to cover about five thousand people in Funafuti. Therefore they decided to set up some water stations and now people can get one bucket for each person every morning for free. But it is still not enough for the big families in Tuvalu, some of the small babies got skin problem because of insufficient taking bath.
Vaitupu island where places middle part of Tuvalu also does not get enough rain and they do not have desalination plant in their island. However, Vaitupu island is the biggest island in Tuvalu and they have some water wells whose water is not drinkable but usable for taking shower, washing cloths and so on.
Nukulaelae island where places southern part of Tuvalu faces the most serious situation in Tuvalu. They do not have not only desalination plants but also water wells because of their island’s smallness. Government had sent emergency ship to Nukulaelae island to bring water made by desalination plant in Funafuti a number of times. Now, New Zealand supported 2 small desalination plants through Red Cross and one of them were sent to Nukulaelae island.
There are increasing people’s demands of support for the water shortage such as installing some more desalination plants.
However, no matter how bad the situation is, people in Tuvalu never forget to keep smile on their face.

From 5th to 8th of October 2011, the meeting for the midterm review of “KAKEEGAII” has been held in capital Funafuti.
KAKEEGAII (TKII) is the Tuvalu National Sustainable Development Strategy of 2005-2015 that includes good governance, macroeconomic growth and sustainability, natural resources development, and so on. This strategy guides country’s development efforts including those by the government, civil society, development partners and other stakeholders.
This midterm review aims at "to assess progress and achievements over the last five years and identify challenges in implementations and to provide the best way forward to achieve TKII ultimate goals".
At the time of the review there were 148 strategies and priorities those had been added new ones, modified and repealed by the ministries over the years. Government and stakeholders were tracking 141 out of the 148 strategies in the TKII, and of this 32% is considered as having been achieved, 62% is partially achieved and not achieved.
During this period, people from government, town council, island leaders, private sector, NGOs etc. gather and discuss to find the way to achieve those strategies by 2015.

On 1st of October 2011, Tuvalu reached the 33rd year from independence. The independence ceremony was held at the central gathering hall in capital Funafuti.
After ceremony programs, there were a lot of entertainment such as dance and songs by the team from Vaitupu island, sports game, canoe racing and so on. In that day, whole Tuvalu was filled with people’s excitement.
The period from 1st to 4th of October is a Tuvalu’s national holiday for Independence Day.