Water crisis on remote island

The tiny Pacific island nation of Tuvalu has declared a state of emergency due to a severe shortage of fresh water, with officials saying some parts of the country may only have a two-day supply after six months of low rainfall.

New Zealand’s foreign minister Murray McCully said yesterday his country was working with the Red Cross to deliver aid workers and supplies as quickly as possible.

A New Zealand military C-130 plane has already arrived carrying two desalination units and a number of water containers, Mr McCully said.