Five hundred water tanks from China’s Dongguan City were donated to Tonga at an official ceremony at Queen Salote Hall, Nuku’alofa on 22 September.

Chinese Ambassador HE Mr Cao Xiaolin handed over the water tanks to Prime Minister Dr Pohiva Tu’i’onetoa.

“Water tanks have become one of the most urgent needs of many Tongan families,” said Mr Xiaolin.

“The Tongan Government has rolled out a big project under the Ministry of MEIDECC to meet the needs and to help the Tongan families be more resilient in response to climate change.”

Mr Xiaolin said the tanks were to support the Tongan Government to ensure water security for Tongan families.

Prime Minister Hon Tu’i’onetoa said, “When I visited the communities throughout Tonga, water tanks was one of the priority needs of the communities, especially families who do not have water tank including outer islands in which rain water is their only source of drinking water.”

The first phase of the Government’s water tanks project started last year and had installed 1,800 water tanks for private households in Tongatapu, Vava’u, Ha’apai and the Niuas.

“This project targets to install 5000lt water tanks to over 6,000 households throughout Tonga particularly the most vulnerable groups in the community including the elderly, disabled, children's and women’s groups.