In 2013, the Marshall Islands experienced a severe drought that led to an urgent humanitarian crisis. Beginning in May of that year, the government declared a state of disaster due to water shortages and the damaging effects of prolonged dry conditions. By early June, the drought was extended for an additional 30 days, affecting communities, particularly in the northern islands. The crisis resulted in a lack of access to clean water, with most of the nation’s water supplies being reliant on rainwater harvesting. Agricultural production also suffered, exacerbating food insecurity for the island’s residents.
The United Nations Office for Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) was called upon to assess the situation and coordinate a response. Given the urgency of the situation, the International Humanitarian Partnership (IHP) was requested to provide logistical and technical support to facilitate OCHA’s efforts. In this case, Sweden, as part of the IHP, provided essential Information and Communications Technology (ICT) support to enhance the response.
To ensure an effective assessment and coordinated relief operations, Sweden deployed ICT specialists to the Marshall Islands. These experts were tasked with setting up the necessary communication infrastructure to support OCHA’s assessment and coordination of humanitarian aid. The deployment included providing mobile communication equipment, satellite connections, and other ICT tools necessary for smooth operations in the affected areas.
Cover Photo Credit: UNESCO/Ron Van Oers
