A project to increase access to clean drinking water for communities has funded over 60 large rainwater tanks that are being distributed in Tongatapu, Vava'u and Ha'apai.

The Friends of Tonga Inc. have collaborated with the Civil Society Forum of Tonga (CSFT) to fund and construct three different community water stations.

The group was co-founded by former Peace Corps Volunteers and is headquartered in the United States of America.

The FoT donated USD $22,000 USD (about TOP $51,000) for the procurement and transportation of the goods to the outer islands.

Thirteen tanks are installed in communities to support the elderly and individuals with disabilities. It also provides an emergency water source for times of water scarcity.

Seven 10,000L and six 5,000L rainwater cisterns were set up for communities in both Vava’u and Tongatapu.

The Civil Society Forum of Tonga (CSFT) sent the water tanks, along with stands and plumbing, to communities in Vava’u (Neiafu, Kemeli, and Masilamea) as well as in Tongatapu (Fasi moe Afi, the Vision Impaired Alonga Centre, and Pili,). The10,000 litre cisterns are worth $3,400 each

and the 5,000 litre Cisterns $2,100.

Friends of Tonga Inc

The partnership between FoT and the CSFT has been ongoing since the HTHH volcanic eruption on 15 January 2022.

The co-founder and president of FoT, Dr. Michael Hassett, said they are committed to supporting Tongan-led, community-driven development. "We are proud to continue this meaningful work with the CSFT to continue assisting the most vulnerable communities throughout Tonga," he said.

The Chair of the CSFT, Drew Havea believed that the successful partnership between the CSFT and FoT would serve as a model for other former Peace Corps groups to connect with other Pacific countries to coordinate aid.

“The Friends of Tonga approach is a very innovative, simple, easy mechanism to work with. Which makes a whole lot of difference in how we respond to support the most vulnerable and needy in the communities," he said.

They were able to supply clean drinking water, vegetable propagation, aquaculture support, food distribution, rainwater cisterns, counselling certificates, and educational support to over 30,000 individuals.

They hoped that this is just the beginning of providing disaster relief to communities across the Kingdom of Tonga.

So far, the water cisterns have been distributed to:

Ha'afeva - 2 x 10000 litres
Tungua - 2 x 10000 litres
Kotu - 2 x 10000 litres
Matuku - 2 x 10000 litres
Mango - 4 x 10000 litres
Nomuka- 4 x 10000 litres
Fonoifua - 2 x 10000 litres
Tongatapu - 6 x 10000 litres
Pangai - 6 x 10000 litres
'Eua - 4 x 10000 litres
Niuafo'ou - 4 x 10000 litres.