NZ$3m helps MORDI's outer island projects [1]
Wednesday, July 20, 2011 - 21:10. Updated on Wednesday, September 11, 2013 - 09:54.
New Zealand has committed TOP$3 million pa'anga to assist community development programs in Tonga's remote outer island communities through MORDI Tonga Trust whose target is to fight against poverty through provision of skills training and community projects.
A grant funding agreement was signed between the New Zealand High Commissioner to Tonga HE Dr Jonathan Austin and the Chairperson of MORDI's Board of Trustees 'Ainise Sevele on July 20, at the NZ High Commission office in Nuku'alofa.
Dr Austin said that New Zealand is happy to renew their commitment to MORDI (Mainstreaming of Rural Development Innovation) who had done well in leading community development programs in Tonga's remote outer islands.
He said New Zealand's further commitment of $3 million to MORDI over the next four to five years would assist them in their development plan for communities and help them implement that plan. The community at the same time makes contributions to the plan, he said.
'Ainise Sevele thanked the New Zealand Government for the generous assistance that would achieve their output of building stronger communities. Geographic isolation should not decide the fate of remote outer island communities, she said, and the 29 outer island communities under MORDI would benefit immensely from the grant.
Since its inception in 2007, MORDI has worked with 22-island communities promoting sustainable development in the Niuas and the outer islands of Vava'u and Ha'apai.
Projects have included fixing water supply systems and town halls, providing wheelbarrows, and training.
New Zealand and the International Fund for Agricultural Development IFAD have co-funded MORDI from 2009.
Present at the signing was Sakiusa Tubuna IFAD's Sub Regional Coordinator from Suva and MORDI General Manager Soane Patolo.