A VILLAGE in Macuata has been relying on coconut water for drinking as residents struggle with a four-month water shortage.
Vuiyakana Village resident Laisenia Ratoto said the shortage affected 14 households, comprising 87 people, as families struggle to meet their daily water needs.
Mr Ratoto said villagers depended on a borehole, but it could not meet their needs, while their water catchment could no longer provide sufficient supplies.
“We don’t have any source of drinking water. We rely on coconut water,” he said.
He said residents often had to leave the village to find water for toilet use, while the limited supplies available were usually reserved for schoolchildren.
“Sometimes these students don’t go to school. The schoolchildren did not go to school because there was no water.”
In response, Acting Commissioner Northern Apolosi Lewaqai said the response to the dry weather situation in the area had escalated to the crisis response phase (Amber).
Mr Lewaqai said authorities were assessing affected communities to identify their immediate needs and coordinate assistance.
