Tidal inundation at Nuguria Atoll

The atoll islands attached to the Autonomous Region of Bougainville have gradually been succumbing to the adverse impacts of climate change and a rising sea level. Late in 2017, the islands at Nuguria Atoll were swamped by heavy sea surges during king tide events that left knee-deep water lying over large areas of the village. In November 2017, the villagers' taro gardens were inundated and almost completely destroyed. The plants will take around ten years to reproduce, assuming they don't receive another salt water dousing. In February 2018, the largest surges in the memory of the current atoll population extended the damage farther onshore, creating a shallow lake around offices and homes.

If these climate-driven events continue, it's only a matter of time before the atoll populations -- there are four other atolls administered by the cash-strapped Autonomous Bougainville Government (ABG) -- will have to abandon the home of their ancestors and resettle wherever they can find refuge. Right now, they have nowhere to go.

In the meantime, my family and I wish to provide whatever aid we can to alleviate the hunger at Nuguria caused by the loss of their food gardens. The ABG has provided rice supplies to all of the atolls, but these supplies provide only temporary relief, as will our fundraising efforts if they succeed. Between rice supplies, the atoll people subsist on fish and coconuts.

At this stage, we're aiming to provide a supply of rice and root vegetables to the Nuguria community, the atoll most affected by the recent high tides.