Nauru Country Report

Nauru is an island country located in the Micronesia region of the Pacific Ocean. Its nearest neighbor is Banaba Island in Kiribati, some 300km (186 miles) to the east. Other regional neighbors include Tuvalu to the southeast, the Solomon Islands to the south, Papua New Guinea to the southwest, the Federated States of Micronesia to the northwest, and the Marshall Islands to the north. Australia is located some 3,000km (1,800 miles) southwest. Nauru is the smallest state in the South Pacific with a population of around 13,000 people. The country's economy has suffered since the depletion of its rich phosphate mines in the 1980s. The island is heavily dependent on aid from the Australian Government which it receives in exchange for hosting the Nauru detention center, one of several offshore Australian immigration detention facilities.

Crime rates on Nauru are relatively low, although petty theft does occur. The risk of unrest, including rioting, is significantly higher in the vicinity of the detention center, where living conditions are poor. There are no immediate threats to political stability, although corruption is a widespread problem. The island's international airport is located in Yaren but facilities are basic. There is one paved road encircling the island but secondary roads are generally unpaved. Local driving standards vary significantly and overland travel on the island is subject to a number of hazards. Coastal flooding, strong winds and heavy rain are a concern during the rainy season but the island generally does not experience tropical cyclones. Medical care in Nauru is limited and serious injuries and conditions often require medical evacuation to Australia.

Crime rates on Nauru are relatively low, although petty theft does occur. Residential burglaries have also been reported although violent crime is rare. Demonstrations are infrequent and typically remain peaceful, although the risk of unrest, including rioting, is significantly higher in the vicinity of the detention center where living conditions are poor.

There are no major concerns over air travel to or from Nauru, although commercial flight options are limited. Nauru Airport, located in Yaren, is small with basic facilities.

There is one paved road that circles the island but secondary roads are generally unpaved. Local driving standards vary significantly and overland travel on the island is subject to a number of hazards.

Power outages occur occasionally. Finally, Internet connectivity problems are common.

Nauru has a warm, tropical climate with two different seasons. The dry seasons are from December to February and June to mid-September; the rainy seasons are from February to late May and September to late November. However, weather patterns have become more unpredictable in recent years and the frequency of extreme weather events increased.

The country is vulnerable to coastal flooding and landslides during the rainy season. Although strong winds and heavy rain can cause infrastructural damage and disruption, the island generally does not experience tropical cyclones.

World War II-era unexploded ordnance continues to pose a risk in some areas of the country and discoveries of explosive remnants of war occasionally lead to local evacuations.

Nauru has limited medical facilities and only basic services are available. Serious injuries or more complicated medical cases will typically require evacuation to Australia. Emergency medical response capabilities are also limited. Pharmacies are present, although supplies are limited and some prescription drugs may not be available. The island has experienced frequent outbreaks of mosquito-borne diseases, particularly dengue, and has been subject to periodic outbreaks of typhoid in recent years.

Nauru, a stable parliamentary republic, faces no major political threats currently, despite prior frequent changes in government. The nation contends with pervasive corruption due to the intersection of political and economic interests. The judiciary is susceptible to corruption and potential political influence. Meanwhile, the under-resourced, inadequately trained police force struggles to address criminal incidents effectively.