by Kevon Browne
St. Kitts and Nevis (WINN)—St. Kitts and Nevis has increased its 24/7 water supply access from 25% to 70% of the population through targeted infrastructure and policy investments.
Minister of Sustainable Development, Environment and Climate Action Hon. Dr Joyelle Clarke shared these updates at the United Nations Convention to Combat Desertification (UNCCD) COP17 in Mongolia, highlighting ongoing efforts to combat a 44% rainfall reduction and active drought warnings.
Speaking at the Ministerial Dialogue on Drought Resilience, Minister Clarke outlined national investments to strengthen water security, including the National Water Policy and the Green Climate Fund-supported SKN TransWater Project.
“St. Kitts and Nevis has experienced 12 drought events in the last 20 years, and is currently under an active drought warning driven by a 44% reduction in rainfall. As a government, our drive toward transformative sustainability via our Sustainable Island State Agenda required acknowledgement of the stark realities of our water situation. Declining groundwater yields, saline intrusion, and, should current conditions persist, the possibility of a 30 to 70% reduction in our aquifers’ recharge by 2050. Droughts have now moved slowly and impartially through our land, economy and our lives as silent impediments to resilience for states. For us, the response needed to be people-centred, innovative, science-based and sustainable. Water security and drought resilience are actioned through policy and investment.”
She also called for stronger regional action and welcomed the proposed Caribbean Drought Initiative through the Partnership Initiative for Sustainable Land Management in Caribbean SIDS (PILSM) as an opportunity to strengthen preparedness, investment and resilience across Caribbean SIDS.
The PISLM serves as a mechanism to facilitate exchange of experiences and good land management practices between participating countries and serves as a mechanism for stimulating the replication of various approaches, tools and methodologies throughout the region, with a focus on politically driven deliverables through action-oriented coalitions.
