By Eleanor Gee

A six-day training program on building different types of fale Tonga (Tonga house) for cyclone preparedness was completed after 25 people, including 11 women, were awarded certificates at the Free Constitution Church of Tonga in Pahu today.

The“ hybrid fale” training is aimed at offering an alternative low cost temporary shelter for those whose homes may be damaged by cyclones and other natural disasters, while waiting for a more permanent solution.

Tents and tarpaulins are normally supplied to people whose homes are affected by cyclones and natural disasters.

Four types of fale-Tonga were built by the participants including Fale Hunuki, Fale Feleoko, Fale Fa’ahi Ua, and Fale Fakamanu’a.

Participants learned to use a mixture of traditional and modern materials to build the fale-Tonga that is more weather friendly than an enclosed tent, especially when it is hot and humid.

Youth, women and members of the disability community from Tongatapu, Ha’apai and ‘Eua took part in the training program.

Ms Sengilama Sime from the Women’s Development Committee at Nakolo said when cyclones hit, preparation is key

“If I can build a low cost fale tonga with salvaged material, sheltering my family from the elements immediately, then I am well prepared for the worst.”

The program is part of early recovery activities under the United Nations Development Program (UNDP) Disaster Resilience for Pacific Small Island Developing States (RESPAC) project in collaboration with the Tonga Government, National Emergency Management Office, MEIDECC, Tonga National Youth Congress, and the Mainstreaming of Rural Development Innovation (MORDI) Tonga Trust.

Tonga is now into its cyclone season, which runs from November to April.