Photo: CRISTINA PEDRAZZINI/SCIENCE PHOT
Tuvalu has declared a State of Public Emergency due to the prolonged drought throughout the islands.
The Pacific News Agency Service reports the Government is mobilising efforts to respond to both the drought and the Covid-19 outbreak.
Tuvalu Governor General, Sir Tofinga Vaevalu Falani, said the proclamation came into effect on Tuesday local time and will continue for 14 days unless revoked or varied.
Foreign Minister Simon Kofe wrote on Twitter: "Testing times but we remain steadfast in our faith".
A drought committee was activated on May 7 headed by Disaster Management Department Director Luke Selu who said it included stakeholders from the climate change, public health and meteorology services department, the Red Cross and town councils, or kaupule.
In August, brief showers in parts of the country were not enough to remedy the situation.
The islands of Nanumea, Niutao, Nui were all experiencing below average rainfall.
With little rain falling, water tank supplies were at the time dwindling.
