The New Zealand Government has announced a 3.9 million US dollar initiative to help five low-lying Pacific countries, which are vulnerable to water shortages, to better manage their fresh water resources.
The money will be to assist Tuvalu, Tokelau, Kiribati, the Cook Islands and the Marshall Islands.
New Zealand's Prime Minister, John Key, says that on top of practical and health difficulties, water shortages hold these economies back, from crop failures to losing tourism trade.
The project will focus on practical issues such as ensuring gutters are connected to storage tanks, and help train water security officer to monitor water levels and help communities prepare for shortages.
