People living in remote communities on the outer islands were made more aware of a range of social support services, after teams after visits from a mobile service, REACH (A'u Tonu Ki Ai).

The government programme called “Rights, Empowerment and Cohesion” (REACH) has support from UNWomen and the United Nations Development Program (UNDP).

The REACH team travelled through Ha'apai and Vavaʻu, following a pilot rollout earlier this year reaching 16 communities across Tongatapu and ‘Eua Islands, providing 2,715 government services over 10 days. 

In Ha'apai and Vava'u 32 villages benefitted from the mission (18 in Vava’u and 14 in Ha’apai), while information sessions reached 2,252 people.

Social support services provided during the Ha'apai and Vavaʻu mission included registration, licensing and information for development of small businesses and cooperatives by the Ministries of Trade and Economic Development; and the issue of National Identification Cards.

They also helped with the registration of women’s groups, and applications for community grants under the family protection trust fund (Ministry for Internal Affairs). The Tonga National Centre for Women and Children ngo) provided awareness and registration of domestic violence cases. There was health screening by the Ministry of Health, and certification of documents and other legal aid services, including free legal advice and counseling for domestic violence survivors by the Ministry of Justice. 

Inclusive

Dr Saia Piukala said through the REACH initiative government aimed to use the mobile service delivery platform, and to increase the awareness of people on government’s support services for vulnerable groups.

'Uiha District Officer, Saia Siale Niumeitolu said of all the government outreach programs that have visited their islands, this is was the most effective and people-centered.

“The people of our district are very happy and look forward with much anticipation to the next REACH, A’u Tonu Ki Ai mission. People are also benefitting from information sharing from the Ministry of Agriculture, Ministry of Fisheries, Ministry of Tourism, Ministry of Lands and Infrastructure, Ministry of Education and the Ministry of Police,” he said.

UNDP Pacific Office in Fiji Resident Representative, Levan Bouadze said they were delighted to see the REACH mobile service delivery expanding from a successful Fiji initiative, to a new start-up in Tonga. 

“Together with UN Women, UNDP is committed to support the awareness of Tongans of the various services available to them, and strengthen their access to justice and public services, with a focus on upholding gender equality and inclusive, rights-based approach.”

The REACH pilot programme in Vava’u and Ha’apai, ran from 23 September to 4 October led by the Government of Tonga’s Ministry of Internal Affairs, with support from UN Women and UNDP, through contributions from the Government of Denmark.