UNEP-SPC Pacific Islands Freshwater Vulnerability Assessment Report Released

25th April 2012: "Freshwater under Threat – Pacific Islands", written by David Duncan, Regional Environmental Engineer of the GEF Pacific IWRM Project was recently released by UNEP. The report found that the almost total reliance on rain-fed agriculture across all islands puts economies and livelihoods at risk. Nearly 10% of deaths of children under five in the region are attributable to water related causes; 90% of these deaths, according to the report, can be traced to poor sanitation treatment systems. The report also outlines that the delivery of water supplies and sanitation services in many Pacific countries currently falls well short of Millennium Development Goal (MDG) targets. The report was featured on ABC’s Pacific Radio’s Pacific Beat program and audio of the interview with David Duncan can be accessed below. The report can be accessed online here – Kava Bowl.

Click play below to listen to the audio recording of the interview