A gift from Japan of emergency relief equipment worth $1.24 million pa'anga was handed over to Tonga’s National Emergency Management Office (NEMO) on August 13.

The Japanese Ambassador HE Mr. Tetsuya Ishii said the key aim of Japan’s Non-Project Grant Aid (NPGA) is to strengthen capability and resilience against natural disasters. 

The grant aid represented Tonga and Japan’s cordial relations and support of each other. This would make a significant contribution to Tonga’s preparedness to withstand the devastations of a disaster, he said.

The equipment delivered to the NEMO warehouse at Vaololoa, included large-size tents, chainsaws, engine generators, balloon lamps with generators and mobile toilets.

The Minister for MEIDECC, Hon Poasi Tei affirmed that NEMO is now in a much better position to support other emergency responders such as Tonga Fire and Emergency Services, Tonga Police, His Majesty’s Armed Forces, Ministry of Health and any other emergency service in need of support. 

Japan’s NPGA was introduced as a form of commodity aid to promote economic and social development of recipient countries.