Australia's Foreign Minister Bob Carr has announced a relief package for drought-stricken Marshall Islands.
A release from Mr Carr's office says Australia will provide around US$100,000 for the emergency supply of desalination units for the Marshall Islands, following continued severe droughts.
The Minister says the assistance is about saving lives and protecting the food supply across the Marshall Islands' northern atolls.
The assistance follows a specific request from the Marshall Islands Government.
An estimated 5,000 people in the northern atolls are experiencing severe drought conditions with an additional 11,000 people affected by continued dry weather and crop loss.
The desalination units will help the Government of the Marshall Islands to provide more drinking water and reduce the impact of the drought on affected communities.
