Photos by Caroline Manu Moli

A new community evacuation center constructed to withstand a category 5 Tropical Cyclone was opened on Tuesday, 23 February in Popua, one of the vulnerable low-lying communities in Tongatapu, under an adaption project.

The centre, which can accomodate up to 50 people, was constructed through the United States Coastal Community Adaptation Project at a cost of $178,295 pa'anga and completed in January.

The centre is built on a one meter-high platform so that it serves as a consolidation point during extreme sea level events and flooding, to which this low-lying coastal community is vulnerable. The centre has climate proof roofing, cyclone resilient exterior and interior walls with protective grating on the windows, water and sanitation.

The U.S. Assistant Secretary of State for East Asian and Pacific Affairs Dr Daniel Russel from Washington D.C., (previously Senior Advisor on Asia Pacific Affairs to President Barack Obama) said climate change is becoming the number one challenge to the entire planet.

"President Obama and top officials care greatly about climate change and its threat to countries like Tonga and vulnerable villages like Popua that are becoming the number one danger zones and we have to do something together," he said.

The U.S.A. in the past was the number one emitter of carbon and now they want to become the number one partner to prevent damages from the effects of violent weather and climate change, he said.

"We know we have to do more than only response, we have to prevent the danger whereever, so this program is very good and an important contributor to the safety and welfare of people here in Popua".

U.S. Ambassador to Tonga Judith Cefkin from Fiji said climate change is a threat to all of our countries, a threat that we cannot possibly be successful in responding to if we do not work together. 

“That is why we attach so much importance and value to our partnership with Tonga and are looking for ways to work together to respond to climate change. We also know the effects of climate change are here, including sea level rise, so it is very important to work with our partners and help communities such as yours become more resilient in the negative impacts of climate change. “

This project was initiated after the people of Popua wanted the evacuation centre after identifying their main risks were from cyclones and storm surges.

Local contractor Taha Kae Afe carried out the construction work.