AN Emergency Operation Centre has been set up on Taveuni to cater for communities affected by the prolonged dry spell.
The island’s district officer Filimone Tagicakibau said a government barge had been organised to deliver water to outer islands of Taveuni.
Mr Tagicakibau mentioned this during his presentation to farmers of Kadavu and Taveuni who attended a training workshop organised by the Secretariat of the Pacific Regional Environment Programme (SPREP) for its Pacific Ecosystems-Based Adaptation to Climate Change (PEBACC) program last week.
He told participants that the dry spell had affected outer islands such as Yacata, Naqelelevu, Yanuca and Qamea.
Mr Tagicakibau said a government barge had started delivering water to these affected islands. “For the affected communities on the islands, we have water being transported to these affected areas,” he said. “Areas that never suffered in the past as a result of the dry weather are now being affected.
“So we have organised carting of water to all these affected areas including outer islands.”
For the past month, residents in Matei have experienced intermittent supply of water, forcing women to use the river to do laundry.
Farmers have not reported any major loss on farms caused by the dry weather.
Mr Tagicakibau said they had long-term plans for water supply on the island.
