The water shortages in the Tokelau Atoll are currently affecting more than 1500 inhabitants and are the focus of a joint humanitarian response between the New Zealand and United States Government in the form of an emergency water supply and distribution assessment exercise.
Adventist Development and Relief Agency (ADRA) New Zealand’s International Programme Manager, Victoria Fray, is one of the members of the team that is heading for the small Pacific Island group to manage an assessment of the condition and suitability of existing water storage facilities.
“Victoria is well qualified as an environmental engineer specializing in water and sanitation who has worked in situations such as this many times,” said ADRA country director Mr. Clinton Rappell. “It is pleasing to see that the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MFAT) has seen fit to invite ADRA to be part of a team that comprises of a top class engineer, health specialist and logistician,” he continued.
The response team will fly to Pago Pago and sail on USS Walnut, a US Navy ship with a compliment of 50, which will co-join with New Zealand Defence in the first joint operation for more than 30 years. It will be a day and a half sail from Pago Pago to the Tokelau Islands before the team can begin their work.
The USS Walnut is equipped with its own desalination plant and is expected to be deployed for several weeks.
There are a further two new desalination plants en route to Tokelau and Victoria may be involved with their commissioning and implementation.
Travelling with the MFAT team are administration and general staff from New Zealand Defence Force as well as New Zealand High Commission.