Pacific

Abkhazia gives bottled water to Tuvalu

18:09 pm on 16 November 2011

Georgia's breakaway region of Abkhazia has come to the aid of Tuvalu, as it recovers from its fresh water emergency.

The Tuvalu government established diplomatic relations with the breakaway Georgian region in September.

The head of Tuvalu's national disaster committee, Pusinelli Laafai, says Abkhazia has donated a container load of bottled water which is sitting in a warehouse awaiting distribution.

The supply was among relief from several nations co-ordinated through the UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs in Suva.

Abkhazia is also recognised by Russia which last year committed substantial aid to Nauru in return for that country's backing of both Abkhazia and South Ossetia.