In immediate response to this situation of emergency, the government of the Marshall Islands has incited the population to store rainwater and has also set up alternative solutions based on the mobilization of watermakers.
But the main objective of the state of emergency proclamation is primarily to help mobilize emergency funds from the traditional partners of the Marshall Islands, and primarily the United States.
“El Niño is currently at its peak”
In other countries affected by drought associated with El Niño like Papua New Guinea, some eight hundred thousand people, mostly in remote areas, is experiencing a shortage of drinking water or food. Several other states in the region such as Fiji, Tonga, Samoa, Vanuatu and Palau have launched warnings to the public about the drought caused by El Niño.
“El Niño is currently at its peak and we expect that impacts come after,” said Krishna Krishnamurthy, an expert on climate risks to WFP (UN World Food Programme).
US $ 62 million needed to help children in the affected areas
In late January 2016, the Global Fund United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF), launched an appeal for solidarity at regional level, referring to the situation that affects not only the Pacific but also parts of Asia southeast (such as Indonesia and the Philippines).
Recalling the destruction of food crops and animals and the scarcity of drinking water sources, the UN agency estimated that as many as 62 million US dollars were needed to give effective assistance to children in the affected areas.
