23 Oct 2018

Funding for biggest Kiribati water project approved by GCF

6:46 am on 23 October 2018
Beach in Kiribati

Beach in Kiribati Photo: RNZI

Kiribati's Minister for Finance and Economic Development, Teuea Toatu, says the Green Climate Fund is providing $US28 million dollars for the country's biggest ever water project.

Dr Toatu told Radio Kiribati this project will be the beginning of a process to transform the islands and help the people build resilience to the impacts of climate change.

It comes at a time when the main South Tarawa water source, the Bonriki groundwater lens, is already significantly under stress which will worsen with the impacts of climate change.

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Photo: RNZ

The South Tarawa Water Supply project will cost US$58 million.

As well as the GCF money, there will be backing from the Kiribati Government, the Asia Development Bank and World Bank.

The project will provide water 24 hours a day and seven days a week to the South Tarawa population, targeting the livelihoods of over 50% of the country's population.

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