Communities across Guadalcanal, Makira and Central Islands provinces in the Solomon Islands are expected to benefit from a new climate adaptation initiative that will strengthen freshwater security.
The 'Protecting Freshwater Resources for Increased Climate Resilience in the Pacific Islands (PacFresH2O)' programme will also improve Water, Sanitation and Hygiene (WASH) services, and build resilience to the growing impacts of climate change.
The programme was launched in Honiara by GIZ Pacific, and implemented in partnership with the Solomon Islands government, the Pacific Community (SPC) and the non-government organisation, Live & Learn, last week.
The five-year regional programme - backed by the German government - supports the Solomon Islands and Papua New Guinea to strengthen climate resilience through sustainable freshwater resource management and climate-resilient WASH services.
Solomon Islands' Minister for Mines, Energy and Rural Electrification Derrick Rawcliff Manuari said freshwater security is fundamental to the health, dignity, livelihoods and future of the island's people.
"For Solomon Islands, climate change is not a distant challenge; its impacts are already being experienced by our communities through changing rainfall patterns, drought, flooding, saltwater intrusion and increasing pressure on our freshwater sources," he said.
He said the programme comes at an important time and directly supports the Solomons gvernment's commitment to ensure that its people, particularly those living in rural and vulnerable communities, have access to safe, reliable and climate-resilient water and sanitation services.
"Through this partnership, we are not simply responding to today's water challenges; we are investing in the resilience, wellbeing and security of future generations of Solomon Islanders."
An investment in people
GIZ Pacific said increasing pressure on freshwater resources across Solomon Islands through changing rainfall patterns, prolonged droughts, flooding, saltwater intrusion and declining water quality has threatened access to safe drinking water and sanitation, public health, food security, livelihoods and the wellbeing of communities, particularly those in rural and remote areas.
German ambassador to Australia, Papua New Guinea, Solomon Islands, Vanuatu and Naoero, Beate Grzeski, said Germany was proud to partner with Solomon Islands in strengthening climate resilience and protecting one of the country's most valuable natural resources.
Grzeski said investing in freshwater and climate-resilient WASH services is an investment in people, supporting health, food security, and sustainable development
PacFresH2O addresses the challenges through an integrated approach that combines climate-resilient freshwater resource management, improved WASH services, Integrated Water Resources Management (IWRM), Nature-based Solutions, strengthened governance and community-led action.
PacFresH2O head of programme Charlotte Siegerstetter said the programme will deliver practical and lasting benefits for communities while strengthening partnerships for climate resilience.
"Through this programme, we will support practical, locally led solutions that improve water security, strengthen climate-resilient Water, Sanitation and Hygiene services, and help communities adapt to the growing impacts of climate change."
Meanwhile, SPC's Litea Biukoto said water is the foundation of resilient Pacific communities.
She said, as climate change intensifies droughts, flooding and pressure on our freshwater resources, protecting and managing water sustainably has never been more important.