5 Nov 2015

US give climate change aid to Pacific

8:20 pm on 5 November 2015
A high tide across Ejit Island in Majuro Atoll, Marshall Islands on March 3, 2014, causing widespread flooding. Officials in the Marshall Islands blamed climate change for severe flooding in the Pacific nation's capital Majuro.

Flooding caused by huge spring tides which Marshall Islands officials have blamed on climate change. Photo: AFP

The United States says it is providing US$5 million dollars for a Pacific climate change strengthening project.

The US Ambassador to Fiji, Judith Cefkin, made the announcement during the Pacific Community Conference underway in Niue.

Pacnews reports the money, to be allocated over five years, will go to an initiative called the Institutional Strengthening in Pacific Island Countries to Adapt to Climate Change.

Ms Cefkin says it aims to strengthen capacity to help the effective planning, co-ordinatiion and response to climate change.