| |
|
| |
 |
| |
Current News |
|
| |
|
|
|
|
November 14, 2011
November 14, 2011- Under the Partnership for Development between the Australian Government and the Republic of the Marshall Islands (RMI) government, approximately 160 units of water catchments with fittings and guttering will be provided to the urban households in Ebeye and Gugeegue.
RMI Chief Secretary Casten Nemra attended the blessing ceremony of the Ausaid-funded Ebeye Household Water Catchments Project that was held on Ebeye 3 weeks ago. During the ceremony, “AusAid announced its willingness to provide additional support for Ebeye Household Water Catchment Project in the near future,” said Nemra.
Moreover, “two expert volunteers will be funded under the Australian Volunteer International beginning next year to be stationed and working for the power plant, and water and sanitation operations in Ebeye,” states Nemra. Remainder of water catchments are expected to arrive on Ebeye next week.
The Partnership for Development is a new framework of joint commitments based on mutual respect and mutual responsibility between the RMI government and the Australian Government towards achieving common goals and improving the standard of living for the people of the RMI. Respectively, the partnership for development pursues to advance the RMI Vision 2018 that focuses on improving areas in governance and, economic and social development. In addition, the Partnership for Development will progress towards achieving the United Nation Millennium Development Goals.
On August 14, 2010 the Partnership for Development was signed at the Pacific Islands Forum in Port Vila, Vanuatu, by RMI Minister of Foreign Affairs, Minister John Silk, and Australian Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade, MP Stephen Smith.
For enhanced development output, the Partnership for Development will commit the Australian government to “maintain and improve the effectiveness of current allocations of development assistance,” and in return, the RMI government will commit to improving, public sector financial management, sustainable macroeconomic stability, governance, public sector capacity development, private sector development, investment in economic infrastructure, access to quality health and education, and community development.
The initial areas of focus, or Priority Outcomes, under the Partnership for Development are increased access to sustainable energy, or Priority Outcome 1, and increased access to clean water and sanitation, or Priority Outcome 2. Achieving Priority Outcome 2 includes the provision of water catchments to urban households in Ebeye and Gugeegue. The Ebeye Water Catchment Project began on May 16, 2011 after the signing of an agreement between the government of Australia and the RMI relating to an accountable cash grant for assistance of household water catchments.
Implementation strategies for the RMI Priority Outcomes will “describe the nature of the Partner’s mutual commitments towards mutually determined outcomes, how progress towards intended results will be measured, financing and other contributions from both governments, and a timeframe for action.”
The RMI government and the Australian government recognize the need to track and review progress of the objectives and commitments of partnership and jointly-prescribed performance measures.
The low-lying coral atolls and islands of the RMI have very limited natural water resources, therefore face water quantity and quality problems. Households in the RMI are dependent on rainwater that is collected by water catchments, groundwater wells, and water lens, however, rainwater collection systems are not well-developed.
Findings from household water catchment sample tests show a serious threat of contamination in household tanks and groundwater wells meaning that “a significant proportion of water resources throughout the RMI are probably unsafe for human consumption.” Furthermore, the increasing flow of migration to Majuro and Ebeye is adding pressure to fresh water resources and threats to the fragile Laura Lens underground water supply.
The Partnership for Development has resulted in an established integrated water resource management system directed under the RMI Environmental Protection Agency (RMI EPA) to improve water policy and program coordination and joint efforts with external development partners.
|
|
|
| |
|
|
|
