La Nina has caused drought conditions for 2 small island nations to the north of New Zealand and water supplies are at an all time minumum.

The island nations Tuvalu and Tokelau have declared states of emergency after six months of little or no rainfall.

It’s estimated that at the current rate of consumption the Tuvaluan atoll of Funafuti, home to 5,000 people, will run out of drinking water in two weeks. Tokelau, a territory of New Zealand with a population of 1,500, could run dry in just one.

The New Zealand Red Cross flew emergency supplies to Tuvalu earlier this week on a New Zealand Defense Force flight along with two aid workers and two foreign ministry staff.

“We have mobilized 2,000 collapsible water containers, hand sanitizers, tarpaulins to be used to capture rain (and) two emergency desalination units,” Andrew McKie, New Zealand Red Cross International Operations and Emergency Manager said.

The emergency desalinators were sent south on a patrol boat  to the small atoll of Nukulaelae, part of Tuvalu, whose population of 330 is reported to be down to its last 60 liters of water. Schools have closed as residents conserve what little water they have and pray for rain.

La Nina is largely being blamed for the tinder dry conditions and may maintain its grip through the upcoming summer months.

CNN and WW