Aid activities in Kiribati

Education and Training

Australia works with the Kiribati Ministry of Education, Youth and Sports to provide basic education activities. The education program has formed the cornerstone of the bilateral aid program since 1998.

Since 2004 Australia and New Zealand have worked in partnership with the Government of Kiribati to provide a program of assistance to the education sector based on the Government's own systems.

Assistance in the education sector planned for 2007-08 includes support for improved policy, planning and coordination within the education ministry, a program of curriculum and assessment reform, and the maintenance for primary schools.

Other activities in human resource development, such as the scholarships complement the program.

Scholarship programs

Contribution: $2 million (approx.) a year
Duration: ongoing
Contractor: Various Australian and Pacific universities

This activity aims to address the shortages of skills limiting the country's economic development. Australian tertiary awards provide cost-effective education to support Kiribati's development objectives. Around 80 students from Kiribati are studying in areas such as law, medicine, business, pharmacy, nursing and telecommunications. Students study at tertiary institutions throughout Australia, Fiji and in Vanuatu under Australian-funded scholarships.

Human Resource Development

Kiribati-Australia Nurses Initiative (Kani)

Contribution: $6 million
Duration: 2007 - 2013
Implementing Agency: Griffith University

The initiative will enable I-Kiribati youth to attain Australian nursing qualifications and industry experience. In Australia, I-Kiribati nurse educators attain further education and skills development to Australian standards to strengthen Kiribati nursing education outcomes and health care services.

Partnerships in Vulnerability Reduction

This initiative aims to extend the development program of regional organisations and other donors such as UNICEF, World Bank and Asia Development Bank. Working through partnerships provides better co-ordination and reduces the administrative burden on Kiribati officials dealing with multiple donors and activities.

Kiribati Adaptation Program Phase II with World bank

Contribution: $2.9 million
Duration: 2005 - 2008
Implementing Agency: World Bank

The goal of the Kiribati Adaptation Program is to reduce Kiribati's vulnerability to climate change, climate variability and sea level rise. This activity aims to implement pilot adaptation measures and consolidate adaptation mainstreaming into national economic planning. Australia will provide goods, services and more technical advice and capacity building. The objective of this component is to reinforce adaptation investments across Kiribati's budget and sectoral plans, by matching government contributions with Global Environment Fund grant funding that support water sector management activities.

Tuberculosis Epidemic Control Project with SPC

Contribution: $1.2 million
Duration: 2006 - 2009
Implementing Agency: Secretariat of the Pacific Community (Public Health Programme)

For the past three years, Kiribati has had a Tuberculosis rate of over 300 for every 100,000 population, the highest among the western Pacific region. This project will increase the capacity of the Kiribati national tuberculosis control programme to deliver effective services and improve the quality of treatment management. The project also aims to develop partnerships with NGOs and the community and to conduct improved surveillance and research.

Socio-Cultural Research on Gender-Based Violence and Child Abuse in Melanesia and Micronesia with UNFPA

Contribution: US$466,000
Duration: 2006 - 2009
Implementing Agency: Secretariat of the Pacific Community

The research will identify the country-specific causes and consequences of domestic violence and protective mechanisms against it. It will also enable regional and international comparisons and identify interventions to reduce the prevalence of gender-based violenceand its impact on families, including children.

Study outcomes will include improved knowledge about the prevalence and characteristics of gender-based violence in Kiribati and increased public awareness for policies and programs to address and reduce gender-based violence. Information gathered through this project will help implement and monitor the Convention on the Elimination of All Discrimination Against Women.

Child Health Consultant Kiribati with UNICEF

Contribution: $201,000
Duration: 2006 - 2007
Implementing Agency: UNICEF

This project will improve child health by providing technical advice and assistance to the Kiribati Ministry of Health. The consultant will work in partnership with hospital and community health practitioners with a particular emphasis on:

Expanded Program of Immunisation (EPI)
Disease Surveillance
Integrated Management of Childhood Illness (IMCI)
Integration of Child Health Programmes
Clinical Paediatrics.
Clinical Paediatric Governance
Continuing staff education in Paediatrics, IMCI, EPI and Child Health Programmes.

Public Sector Support

Australia has made a considerable investment in public sector financial management in Kiribati over the past decade, including implementing new strengthened management and information systems.

AusAID will continue to support targeted public sector development to various areas, such as customs, tax and audit departments.

October 2007