The World Health Organisation will provide immediate assistance to Kiribati as part of a relief effort for the country's ongoing drought.

The WHO office in the capital, Tarawa, says it will provide supplies and equipment worth about 28-thousand dollars for monitoring water quality.

Part of the assistance package will also pay for building materials to improve the use of rainwater and sanitation.

The organisation will also provide a consultant to advise the Government in assessing the health impact of the drought.

The support has come in response to President Teburoro Tito's declaration of a state of natural disaster in Kiribati.

=A9 1999 Australian Broadcasting Corporation
Thu Mar 18 20:15:00 1999 ( AEDT )

AEDT = Australian Eastern Daylight Time