More than $50,000 pa’anga have been granted to finance various social support projects in Tonga this month, and build people’s resilience during and after disasters.

A Safety and Protection Cluster under the Ministry of Internal Affairs (MIA) granted the funds to the Naunau ‘o ‘Alamaite Tonga Association (NATA), MIA Church Leaders Desk and Tonga National Youth Congress (TNYC). 

These funds will go towards social support projects that would help people in Tongatapu, ‘Eua, and ‘Eueiki. 

Ministry of Internal Affairs CEO and Chair of the Safety and Protection Cluster, Dr Fotu Fisi’iahi said today it is vital to promote this kind of social program, which reaches directly to the community as we head into the next cyclone season. 

"The most vulnerable people in Tonga are in dire need of these resources which is also critical to building resilience and reducing risks during disaster.”

Projects

The funds will assist, NATA to carry out a Trauma Counselling as a follow up to people with disabilities after Tropical Cyclone Gita last year. 

The project aims to equip participants with knowledge and skills on how to cope with trauma during and after disaster.

Workshops will be held in eight villages from Kolonga, Tatakamotonga, Kolovai, Houma, Ma’ufanga, Kolofo’ou to Pea. 

Meanwhile, MIA Church Leaders Desk continues Phase 2 of its Psycho-Social Support (PSS) Program. 

Phase 1 program was conducted in March 2018, with a total of 22 villages selected from the most affected areas in Tongatapu.

He said, phase 2 starting this in 10 villages in ‘Eua to provide children and families affected by TC Gita with psycho-social support.

TNYC youth delegation, on the other hand is prepared to carry out water purification activities on individual households, churches and some area school's water tanks in Tongatapu Constituencies 1, 2, 3, 4,10 and 13 households in 'Eueiki.

This is to be followed by a Youth Disaster Readiness Training aimed at empowering Tongan youth with necessary skills in responding to vulnerable families affected by any natural disaster.

"The Ministry of Internal Affairs continues to work collaboratively with these members and vulnerable community in prioritizing and coordinating social activities that will encourage and promote the safety and protection concerns raised in times of disaster for the people of Tonga."