The Marshall Islands government has denied there's drought-related social unrest in its northern atolls.

Some of the islands haven't had significant rain for a year and are relying on donated portable desalination units for drinking water.

Earlier this month, the National Water Advisor to the Marshall Islands government, Tom Vance, described the situation in the islands of Enewetak and Utrik as "dire" and said there was a lot of social tension.

Release Number: HQ-13-62.

WASHINGTON – The U.S. Department of Homeland Security’s Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) announced that federal disaster assistance has been made available to the Government of the Republic of the Marshall Islands under the Compact of Free Association between the Government of the United States of America and the Government of the Republic of the Marshall Islands, as amended, due to the ongoing severe drought in the northern half of the country.

Göttingen, 11. Juni 2013

By Ika Koeck, IFRC, Asia Pacific zone office

Since April, the Pacific nation of the Republic of the Marshall Islands in Micronesia has been suffering from a severe drought that has seen up to 6,400 people across 15 atolls surviving on less than a litre of water per person per day. On 19 April, the government declared a state of emergency, which was followed by a state of natural disaster on 8 May.

The Global Overview collates information from a range of sources and displays it in a manner that allows for quick comparison of different humanitarian crises.

1. Myanmar - Police reported that three women were shot dead and four other people were wounded in Parein village, Mrauk-U Township, in a confrontation with security officials. Source: OCHA

2. Marshall Islands - Drought conditions persist in the northern Marshall Islands. The Marshall Island gov finalized a US$ 4.7 million response plan. A significant funding gap remains for lifesaving needs identified in the plan. Source: OCHA Sitrep

A drought crisis in the Marshall Islands is creating tensions between villages forced to share dwindling water supplies.

More than 5,000 people in the north of Marshall Islands have limited access to clean and safe drinking water, proper sanitation and nutritious food.

The only water available for drinking, cooking and hygiene is being made by reverse osmosis water purifying machines flown into the northern atolls by aid groups.

The Global Overview collates information from a range of sources and displays it in a manner that allows for quick comparison of different humanitarian crises.

1. Myanmar - Inter-communal violence displaced approximately 1,400 people in Lashio, Shan state on 29 May. Since then many have returned home, however nearly 440 people remain in two sites as of 2 June. The Gov., private donors and humanitarian agencies are providing assistance.
   Source: OCHA