In August 2010, Australia and the Republic of the Marshall Islands agreed on a new Partnership for Development to reduce poverty and achieve the Millennium Development Goals. The Partnership guides Australia's aid to the Marshall Islands and focuses on the priority areas of increased access to clean water and sanitation, and affordable, sustainable energy.
Australia has invested $15.9 million in total ODA in the Marshall Islands over the past three years. Our investment has contributed to important development results, including:
- emergency assistance in response to the 2013 drought
- the development of a national Energy Policy and Energy Roadmap
- installation of more than 1,900 electricity meters in Majuro and revision of fuel supply arrangements resulting in monthly savings of US$ 1.3 million
- increased water security on Kwajalein atoll through the provision of household water catchment tanks to 380 households (approximately 4,000 people)
- technical assistance in the water sector contributing to the development of a draft National Water and Sanitation Policy for the Marshall Islands and resulting in new accounting and billing system which has increased revenue
- emergency assistance to the 2010 dengue outbreak
- ongoing reform and modernisation of the tax system
- providing essential scholarships to allow Marshallese students to study at Pacific regional and Australian institutions. These scholarships are helping the Marshall Islands address human capacity gaps at all levels of government and private sector.
Australia expects to provide an estimated total of $7.3 million in total overseas development assistance to the Marshall Islands in 2013–14. Australia remains committed to delivering results in the Marshall Islands through the bilateral program, including:
- helping the Marshall Islands reduce energy costs and improve efficiency
- continuing to improve access to safe drinking water and adequate sanitation by financing the design of a major water and sanitation program for the island of Ebeye, with the Asian Development Bank
- continuing to support tax reform to increase the Marshall Islands’ internal revenue
- improving the lives of women in the Marshall Islands through enhanced economic opportunities and activities aimed at eliminating violence against women
- building the skills of the workforce in key sectors by providing scholarships.
More expected outcomes can be viewed under the ‘See our results’ tab above.