When the Hunga Tonga-Hunga Ha'apai volcano erupted in 2021-2022, creating the largest underwater explosion ever recorded by modern science, it highlighted a crucial challenge for Tonga: getting emergency supplies quickly to communities spread across its vast archipelago. In response to this and other logistical challenges faced during natural disasters, Tonga is taking a bold step forward with plans for a new humanitarian warehouse in Vava'u, supported by the Pacific Humanitarian Warehousing Program (PHWP)%20in%20preparation), a programme implemented by the Pacific Community (SPC).
"The proposed Vava'u warehouse will help address some of the challenges that Tonga has faced in disaster risk management and would be a way to improve logistics," explained Mr Esau Tupou, Acting Chief Executive Officer of Tonga's Ministry of Meteorology, Energy, Information, Disaster Management, Environment, Climate Change and Communications (MEIDECC).
"Tonga will benefit from the shared knowledge, coordination and sustainable development that this programme will bring to our disaster response cluster," added Mr Tupou.
As a port serving several surrounding islands, Vava'u could serve as a distribution point for disaster response, helping address the challenges of delivering emergency supplies across Tonga's archipelago.
This initiative builds upon Tonga's pioneering role in the region, notes SPC's Disaster Risk Team Leader, Litea Biukoto. As the first Pacific nation to implement a Joint National Action Plan on Climate Change Adaptation and Disaster Risk Management (DRM), Tonga continues to inspire other countries with its innovative approaches.
At the heart of Tonga's impressive disaster management approach is the National Disaster Risk Management Office (NDRMO), which weaves modern emergency systems with traditional cultural values. Building on this foundation, the 2021 DRM Act expanded the nation's strategy through 11 specialised clusters, coordinating everything from preparedness to recovery. This framework ensures international aid complements local efforts while maintaining a seamless support network from government offices to village committees.
The NDRMO takes a proactive stance, holding quarterly meetings with development partners and donors to communicate Tonga's specific needs in times of disaster. This carefully curated and data-informed list of emergency supplies helps in prepositioning prioritised supplies and ensures aid aligns with cultural sensitivities and actual community requirements.
At the grassroots level, Village Disaster Management Committees serve as the backbone of community preparedness. These committees, featuring strong representation of women and youth, maintain monthly updated data on community members, paying special attention to elderly residents and persons with disabilities. They also maintain standardised 72-hour emergency supply packs for families, demonstrating their commitment to preparedness and response capability.
Currently, humanitarian actors like the Red Cross, World Vision, Adventist Development and Relief Agency (ADRA), MORDI Tonga Trust, UNICEF and Save the Children are actively prepositioning supplies in Tonga primarily through strategically located shipping containers across the country, stocked with hygiene, shelter, and kitchen kits. A few actors share space in the NDRMO-operated warehouses in Tongatapu.
In December 2024, the PHWP team conducted a week-long mission, engaging with a diverse group of stakeholders from government ministries to humanitarian partners. This collaborative approach ensures the programme draws from local expertise and includes the voice of communities.
Looking ahead, the programme will work with the NDRMO team to obtain the existing cadastral survey of the preferred site and hold detailed consultations to determine specific warehouse requirements. These findings will shape the Country Implementation Plan, guiding construction, capacity development and programme implementation.
Tonga's disaster management system brings together international practices while considering local cultural values and community needs. The Government's support and community involvement have helped develop an approach that may offer useful insights for other Pacific nations dealing with disaster risks.