New Zealand said on Tuesday that it has sent a team to assist in Tuvalu after the Pacific Island country issued a state of emergency after it reported a critical level of drinking water. Tuvalu, which has a population of less than 11,000, declared the state of emergency last week following water shortages in the capital, Funafuti, and a number of outer islands. A New Zealand Defense Force Hercules reportedly arrived in the country on Monday afternoon to deliver Red Cross workers and supplies, including two desalination units, as well as water containers. Foreign Minister Murray McCully said Wellington-based High Commissioner Gareth Smith and another Foreign Affairs Ministry staff member had also traveled to Tuvalu and would stay to see what other help was needed. “New Zealand will be working with partners and other donors to consider the best medium- to long-term response options,” he said, in comments carried by local newspapers. Being the lowest-lying populated island in the world, Tuvalu's population of 11,000 is beset with environmental problems. Rising sea levels have threatened livelihoods and homes, while increased saline contamination threatens water supplies and crops. BM
