NMI govt assisting Palau as drought worsens

The CNMI government has lent technical assistance to Palau as it suffers from a severe drought, Office of the Governor spokesman Ivan Blanco said.

Blanco said that March 30, 2016, Palau’s Environmental Quality Protection Board requested the CNMI Bureau of Environmental and Coastal Quality for technical assistance in testing new water sources for public use.

These, he said, include decontaminating or disinfecting possible water sources and storing in water bladders/tanks for transportation to distribution areas.

“Mr. Derek Chambers, CNMI Public Health Officer, was dispatched to Palau on April 4 and is currently on the ground providing much needed technical assistance for the above stated activities. This is part of our continuing partnerships with our sister islands when in times of need,” Blanco told Saipan Tribune.

Palau declared a state of emergency last month after the El Nino-induced droughts in the region worsened.

The Marshall Islands and the Federated States of Micronesia have also declared states of emergency.