Drought in Vanuatu

This drought is right on top of cyclone Pam earlier this year. The Pacific islands are being thrown under the bus by their large neighbours, Australia and New Zealand - both determined to ignore climate change.

New Zealand just deported its first climate refugees from Kiribati.

Water shortages and crop failure in Vanuatu

Communities in Vanuatu are experiencing severe water shortages and facing the prospect of total crop failure as drought conditions worsen.

Radio New Zealand,

6 October, 2015

The director of the national disaster management office says many of the communities affected by the drought had just started to find their feet after the devastation of cyclone Pam in March.

Shadrack Welegtabit says his office has begun emergency water and relief supply runs to some of the worst affected provinces.

But he says predictions that drought conditions will continue into the New Year are worrying because crops are already beginning to fail and relief supplies are running low.

"We have been using what other countries have given in, in terms of responding to Pam but as the situation unfolds well into next year. We might be requesting assistance from our partners."

Vanuatu drought: Toddler's death believed to be country's first fatality linked to worsening crisis

Authorities say the death of a two-year-old girl in Vanuatu may be the first fatality in the country linked to the region's worsening drought.

The drought is adding to the devastation caused by Cyclone Pam six months ago, with people in some parts forced to forage for food in the bush.