Water security in a changing climate: Learnings from Kiribati

With no public water system, the community relies on shallow groundwater wells or rainwater collection for their daily needs — but climate change is weakening these already-fragile sources. This has raised the risk of waterborne diseases, skin infections, and other climate-linked health concerns, with children, the elderly, and pregnant women especially vulnerable.

Doctors Without Borders/Médecins Sans Frontières (MSF) is working closely with local health workers and the Ministry of Health and Medical Services to strengthen climate-resilient health systems and address key health challenges in the community. Our water, sanitation, and hygiene team in Tabontebike is reinforcing water infrastructure in places like schools and clinics, protecting groundwater, improving rainwater harvesting and storage, and upgrading sanitation facilities.