Environment Ministry announced on Saturday that it is making preparations to commence a project to establish rainwater harvesting systems in islands with small populations. The project, undertaken in two phases, would see the development of facilities in 45 islands with small populations; 25 islands in the north and 20 from the south. Of the 45 islands, 44 have populations below 2,000. According to the Environment Ministry, the project targets a combined population of 35,000 people.
The project is undertaken to address the issue of water shortages, which is a pressing issue in many islands during the dry season. Environment Minister Thoriq Ibrahim said the Government aims to establish water supply systems in all inhabited islands. The rainwater harvesting systems are being set up to avert water shortages until the establishment of proper water supply networks, he said.
The project is financed through a grant of US$ 23.6 million by the United Nations Green Climate Fund with the Government putting in an additional US$ 4.5 million. United Nations Development Programme also provided a grant of US$ 100,000 for the project.
The Environment Ministry said the project is expected to commence before the end of the year. The Finance Ministry has already called for proposal to undertake the project on a design-build basis.