World Bank approve $12m for Ha'apai reconstruction [1]
Thursday, May 29, 2014 - 22:17
The World Bank on 29 May approved a US$12 million in grants and low-interest credits for the reconstruction and repair of hundreds of homesin Ha'apai, and to restore critical community facilities like markets, health centers and schools.
The northern islands of the Ha'apai group of islands were devastated by Cyclone Ian on 11 January.
The Category 5 Cyclone with wind speeds of over 200km per hour caused significance damage to people's homes and agriculture valued at US$50 million or 11% of Tonga's Gross Domestic Product GDP.
The World Bank fund of US$12 million comprises of $6 million as grants and $6 million as low-interest credits.
The reconstruction project to be implemented by the Ministry of Infrastructure in partnership with NGOs working in Ha'apai, will help rebuild 'essential housing' for 200 of the poorest and most vulnerable families whose homes were destroyed or severely damaged by Cyclone Ian.
It will also provide training and advice to an estimated additional 900 affected households who need to undertake repairs or reconstruction, or to retrofit their homes to bring them up to climate-resilient standards. There will also be grants to households that need to improve their water and sanitation facilities.
The project will also include the reconstruction of climate-proof community infrastructure such as the Lifuka Market in Pangai. The mapping of coastal hazards and risks and provide training for tradespeople, local contractors, community leaders and others to help them plan and build infrastructure that is more resilient to extreme weather events, such as earthquakes and cyclones.
According to World Bank models, Tonga incurs on average US$15.5 million in losses each year due to earthquakes and tropical cyclones.