The tiny Pacific nation of Tuvalu has declared a state of emergency because it has only several days’ worth of fresh water remaining, after being ravaged by an extended drought.  Neighboring New Zealand and Australia have stepped in and offered to provide desalination equipment, which would keep the islands from running dry.  Australia is also sending rehydration packs for use in hospitals, as well as money and fuel for the desalination plants.  Residents are currently rationing water, with those in the capital of Funafuti down to two buckets a day, but the crisis point has already been reached.

Read more: http://ecocentric.blogs.time.com/2011/10/07/tuvalu-goes-dry/#ixzz1aEmS3Ar8