WHO Seeks Contractor for Climate-Resilient Clinic Refurbishment in Kiribati

Reference: WPRO/2026-03/KIR/292553 Introduction WHO is seeking for a qualified, eligible and competent proposer for the refurbishment of the Poland and Tabwakea 1 Clinics on Kiritimti Island, Kiribati to create safer, more climate‑resilient, and environmentally sustainable healthcare spaces for the people of Kiribati.

Healthcare facilities (HCFs) serve as the first and last line of defence against the impacts of climate change. They are vulnerable to climate-related stresses and can negatively affect the environment and community health. In Kiribati, HCFs lack functional infrastructure and a trained health workforce, making them susceptible to inadequate energy supplies, water, sanitation, and waste management services.

Prioritizing improvements in these areas is essential for building resilience and promoting environmental sustainability. The Global Environment Facility (GEF) project, implemented through the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), supports selected healthcare facilities in Kiribati to strengthen the coverage and quality of their health services.

The initiative focuses on addressing climate‑related health challenges and reducing disruptions to healthcare delivery caused by climate‑induced events, thereby improving the resilience and reliability of essential health services.

The planned interventions align with GEF Project Activity 3.1.3, which focuses on implementing climate‑proofing measures in high‑risk health facilities, including targeted refurbishment to enhance their structural and operational resilience.

These upgrades are essential to ensure that critical wards can maintain uninterrupted delivery of essential health services during extreme weather events—such as prolonged heatwaves, cyclones, flooding, and saltwater intrusion—which are becoming more frequent and severe due to climate change.

By integrating these climate‑resilient measures into the refurbishment works, the project strengthens the capacity of Kiribati’s health system to withstand climate‑related disruptions and to respond effectively to the escalating impacts of climate change on public health. Please use the subject line WHO Bid ReferenceWPRO/2026-03/KIR/292553 in all email submissions.

Proposals must be submitted to wproungm@who.int and wprokirclo@who.int no later than 27 March 2026, 11PM, +12hrs) .