A four-month drought in the central Tongan island group of Ha’apai is putting stress on drinking water supplies already diminished by saltwater intrusion.
Some people – especially women and children mostly affected by the water shortage – from the more remote communities are needing to travel long distances to get water from churches and schools who have a more secure water supply. This is putting extra strain on those other sources.
Caritas, in response to residents’ concerns, is urgently providing a mix of traditional water collection systems and commercial water tanks to ensure drinkable water for more than 2400 people in five acutely affected villages.
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