As the water shortages continue throughout Tokelau, Tuvalu and other Pacific
islands, The Adventist Development and Relief Agency of New Zealand (ADRA)
water and sanitation specialist, Victoria Fray writes from aboard the Coast Guard
Cutter U.S.S. “Walnut” an update of the joint New Zealand and United States
response.
There are three main objectives to the mission:
1. Safely deliver water on board, ensuring that the community storage tanks
are safe and clean.
2. Assess potential sites (one on each island) for the desalination water
treatment plants which have been ordered from New Zealand
3. Assess household water tanks using teams from aboard the vessel
“We have now departed from Pago Pago, and are on our way to Fakaofo, the first
of the three atolls in Tokelau that we will be visiting. With 175,000 litres on
board, we intend to deliver to each of the three islands based on the number of
people in each place.” Victoria writes.
Water will be pumped from the Cutter to 5000 litre tanks on barges, from where
it will be pumped into community water tanks.
With the help of the US Walnut crew, there are five teams to carry out
assessments of the household tanks. Victoria’s job is to make sure that the
community water tanks are clean and adequate for storing drinking water, and
to help decide the locations for the placement of the desalination units.
“The USCGC Walnut is available for approximately one week in total, and this
should be enough time to complete any necessary surveys, as well as distribute
the water we have on board.” Victoria said. “If the desalination units have not
arrived in this week, I plant to return to Apia with the crew and then back to New
Zealand.” She continued.
By the time the Walnut departs there will have been a delivery of more than
50,000 litres of drinking water into freshly cleaned and sanitised tanks,
collection pipes and structure roofs will be assessed in anticipation of the
eventual arrival of rain. On top of this additional desalination equipment is en
route via Australian and New Zealand Air force planes.
ADRA New Zealand CEO, Clinton Rappell is quoted as saying “If the desalination
units arrive in time, Victoria may stay on longer if necessary to make sure they
get up and running, and will return on the scheduled boat or make further
arrangements as this mission is imperative to the lives of all in the community”