10 Jun 2013

Tokelau freshwater focus amid climate change threat

7:09 pm on 10 June 2013

Tokelau has been encouraged to better manage its rainwater, as its only source of freshwater.

A workshop in Samoa has provided participants from Tokelau with ideas on how it can counter climate change impacts and preserve water during extreme weather events.

A major topic was Water Supply, Sanitation and Hygiene, or WASH.

The WASH programme is hoping to empower members from each of the three atolls, Nukunonu, Atafu and Fakaofo to carry out water hygiene activities in communities and schools.

The participants will be returning to Tokelau next week with the hope they will convey the key messages and start implementing the activities in their villages.

The workshop was funded by Australia's International Climate Change Adaptation Initiative in collaboration with Secretariat of the Pacific Community.