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Kiribati activities, January-July 2026

Kiribati (pronounced Ke-ree-bas) is a vast but climate-vulnerable island nation made up of 32 atolls and one raised coral island in the Pacific. It lies half-way between Hawaii and Australia. With a total land mass of just 811 square km spread over 3.5 million square km of ocean, the country has unique social and geographical challenges. The increase in frequency and intensity of storms and other extreme weather events, the intrusion of salt water with a rising sea, along with declining rainfalls and higher temperatures, threaten ecosystems and are rapidly deplete freshwater supplies.

MSFSTO66331

Linked assets

A general vista of coconut trees in Abaiang

General view of beach buia's in Abaiang 16 April 2026

General view of Abaiang from a boat, 16 April 2026

A view of Abaiang from Air Kiribati flight on 12 April

General view from Tebunginako Village, Abaiang, 15 April 2026

General view of a cooking pot in Tebunginako Village, Abaiang 15 April 2026

Rising sea levels and changing weather patterns regularly break man-made sea walls, like this one in Nuotaea Island, Abaiang.

General view from Tebunginako Village, Abaiang, 15 April 2026

An Air Kiribati flight arrives in Abaiang

General view of a road in Taniamaiaki village, Abaiang

Tanimaiaki Health clinic in Abaiang 14 April 2026

A drum burner at Tanamaiaki health clinic in Abaiang island

Sea wall in Tarawa

Sea defences in Tarawa

General view of a fisherman's boat in Tarawa 11 April 2026. Fishing is an essential part of Kiribati's economy and livelihoods.

MSF's Sonam Younis, Selene Tripp and Mila Tikari investigating the well at Tabontebike Primary School 14 April 2026

Coconuts drying in the sun in Nuotaea Island. Coconuts, and the whole coconut palm is used for every part of daily life: food, drink, building materials and income.

MSF work closely with communities and health care clinics in Nuotaea Island to support access to care and improved water and sanitation.

General view of Nuotaea Island 16 April 2026

General view from Tebunginako Village, Abaiang, 15 April 2026

MSF's midwife Estefania Berthier Ruiz visits the nurse at Taniau health clinic in Abaiang.

Rubbish lies on the beachside in Eita, Kiribati. Waste and the disposal of waste is an ongoing problem in Kiribati due to the limited land and poor resources.

A weekly clinic update at Taburao Village in Abaiang

MSF's WASH team Mila Tikari and Selene Tripp looking at a tippy-tap handwashing station at Tabontebike clinic, Abaiang 14 April 2026

Boat weights Nuotaea Island 16 April 2026

A Maneaba is a traditional meeting place in Kiribati where communities gather.

General view of approaching Tarawa on Air Fiji on 10 April 2026

MSF's WASH team Mila Tikari and Selene Tripp looking at a tippy-tap handwashing station at Tabontebike clinic, Abaiang 14 April 2026

A view of the lagoon from Nuotaea Island. MSF work closely with communities and health care clinics in Nuotaea Island to support access to care and improved water and sanitation.