Abstract:
Difficulty accessing fresh water has been a long term challenge for families on Lelepa Island. While rainwater is an important source, only 20% of households have systems that are self-sufficient throughout the year. All other households rely on non-potable ground water and fresh water taken from the nearby main island of Efate. The project methodology combined participatory planning approaches with community education and skills development in order to strengthen community capacity for the sustainable management of water resources and infrastructure to build resilience to the potential future impacts of climate change on water resources.