Thousands of people living in Fiji’s Yasawa islands are facing severe water shortages, as natural water sources dry up.
It comes as this year’s El Niño conditions intensify in the Pacific, which means less rainfall and longer dry spells.
Last week, Fiji’s Competition and Consumer Commission warned food prices may spike as local crops are disrupted by the weather pattern.
District Representative for Nacula in the Yasawa Islands Lavenia Naivalu says healthcare and education facilities are facing shutdown if the water supply does not improve.
“They might have to leave their stations and return to the mainland, which means … we might have to close our school down and our health centres,” she said. “We are still waiting for the government to assist us. I’m also writing to corporations in the region and seeking further assistance.”