A new warehouse for Tonga's National Emergency Management Office, will be built on the outer island of Ha’apai, with $1.3 million pa'anga committed by the New Zealand Government.

NZ High Commissioner to Tonga, HE Matthew Howell handed over a Grant Contribution Letter confirming the funding from the New Zealand Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade, on 8 July.

This was received by MEIDECC CEO Paula Ma’u with NEMO Director Mafua Maka and staff present.

The New Zealand High Commission said this funding support for the construction of the new NEMO distribution warehouse in Ha’apai, is part of Tonga’s recovery phase to the Hunga-Tonga Hunga-Ha’apai eruption and tsunami on 15 January.

"The visit to Matatoa was also an opportunity to view prepositioning supplies funded by MFAT for future events. The new warehouse in Ha’apai will provide a central location for receiving and distributing relief supplies across the outer island (population 5,419) and to its many small and remote islands." 

Meanwhile, the warehouse is expected to include a multipurpose room that will be used for various NEMO training and workshop activities. 

In addition, an Emergency Operations Centre (EOC) communications room will be furnished with communication equipment enabling it to be fully functional.