More water tanks needed in Kiribati: NGOs

[Stacey King]

RADIO AUSTRALIA NEWS

NGOs in Kiribati say more water tanks are needed in the outer islandes. [ABC]

Last Updated: 22 hours 7 minutes ago

Communities in the outer islands of Kiribati are struggling to survive due to a lack of fresh water, local non-government organisations say.

The Kiribati Climate Change Action Network has appealed to international donors to help provide more water tanks.

Spokeswoman Linda Uan says salt water often contaminates drinking supplies on the low-lying islands.

"What's happening is that it's affecting the lives of the most vulnerable - young children, as well as the general community," she said.

"So we have people having diarrhoea, vomiting... all the diseases that come with water that's unsuitable for drinking."

Ms Uan said people are currently storing water in 20 litre buckets, which only sustain families for a short time.

She said tanks with a capacity of 5,000 to 10,000 litres were required.

Ms Uan said she expected NZAID to respond to group's calls.

"NZAID has been doing a lot of water work here with the different groups in the government, like the Kiribati adaptation program, so it is one area that has been very active in this research."