Even the local hospital has been inundated by big tides. Photo: RNZ / Chris Bramwell
Taiwan has given Kiribati about $US700,000 to upgrade medical facilities and schools on the outer islands.
Radio Kiribati reports the money is part of the Outer Islands Social Facilities project that Taiwan has been contributing to since 2007.
More than 3,000 government buildings, including classrooms, clinics and staff living quarters on 19 islands, will be renovated using longer lifespan building materials.