Prime Minister Sitiveni Rabuka says the Government has not been sitting idly in responding to the challenges caused by prolonged dry weather conditions.
In a statement, Rabuka says that for months, the Government has been warning about the impact of El Niño.
He says the Government has also been raising Fiji's concerns at international climate conferences, including COP, and calling on the world's major economies to recognise the challenges faced by small island nations like Fiji.
Rabuka says the Government has repeatedly warned that climate change is not a distant threat.
He further says its consequences are already being felt by people across Fiji, with communities experiencing water shortages.
The Prime Minister says he understands the difficulties this is causing families, farmers and businesses.
He adds that the Water Authority of Fiji has been working every day to maintain water supplies and deliver water to affected communities.
Rabuka says that according to the latest figures presented to Parliament, 67 water trucks have been deployed.
He says more than 885,000 litres of water have been delivered by road since 30th October, while another 810,000 litres were delivered by sea between 30th September and 30th October.
He says disaster management teams, regional development officials and other Government agencies have also been responding, coordinating assistance and preparing for conditions that may become more difficult in the months ahead.
The Prime Minister says the Government has been preparing for this situation for months and will continue to strengthen its response as necessary.
Rabuka adds that the scale of the drought is serious, and while the Government cannot control the weather or make it rain, it can prepare, mobilise resources and do everything possible to protect the people.
He says this is also why the Government continues to advocate internationally for greater climate financing and assistance.
The Prime Minister says small countries like Fiji cannot be expected to carry the growing burden of climate change alone.
Rabuka says the international community needs to recognise what people in Fiji are experiencing and support the country's efforts to build resilience.
He further says some may choose to take his words out of context and use them to score political points, and they are free to do so.
However, he says that while others debate his words, Government teams are out there delivering water and helping communities.
Rabuka says this is a difficult period for the country, and it calls for solidarity, cooperation and a shared determination to look after one another.
He says Fiji will get through this together.
