Acting Chief Executive Officer for the Ministry of Internal Affairs and Chairman of this cluster ‘Onetoto ‘Anisi said the needs of the most vulnerable individuals were a constant concern and priority for the cluster.

“With the proper activities, and partnerships, we are hopeful that these coordinated efforts address the most vulnerable needs of the whole of Tonga as they recover from the impacts of Tropical Cyclone Gita.”

He said three non-governmental organizations members of this cluster were granted funding to support social programming, along with the purchase of 20 water tanks for female-headed households in ‘Eua.

These efforts were part of the protection concerns identified within the response and recovery phases of TC Gita.

He said Tonga Red Cross Society conducted psycho-social support and also distribution as a first responder organization to the cyclone.

Ma’a Fafine Moe Famili Inc. will continue this type of support for the most vulnerable as well as disaster awareness training beginning with a focused set of villages throughout Tongatapu, and will then move to complete their projects in ‘Eua, ‘Eueiki and Atataa.

The Women and Children Crisis Centre (WCCC) identified the most pressing need for ‘Eua was the purchase of emergency water tanks for ‘Eua.

The Ministry of Internal Affairs will continue to coordinate and monitor these activities working in partnership with the Safety and Protection Cluster members and local communities in the following months, he said.