Tonga faces permanent losses from sea level rise and is at risk from a seismic events, a new multi-hazard report finds.

The 2023 Multi-Hazard Disaster Risk Assessment was launched by Tonga’s Deputy Prime Minister Hon. Samiu Vaipulu, together with Minister of Finance Hon. Tiofilusi Tiuteti, and ADB Disaster Risk Management Specialist Alexandra Galperin in Nuku’alofa Tonga.on on 6 July.

“Tongans are very resilient people, and we have shown this again and again, when dealing with large-scale disasters,” said the Deputy Prime Minister.

He emphasized the importance of the report, in providing a benchmark where plans and efforts to increase the resilience of Tonga will be analysed and improved.

Ms. Galperin said the assessment shows that data collected post-disaster on asset performance across sectors is critical for better understanding risk, which leads to more informed decision making.

The report shows earthquakes, while rare, are the dominant hazard, and frequent flood events also result in significant losses, stated ADB.

It also revealed that, in the absence of adaptation measures, permanent losses from sea level rise would be high in the future. In total, buildings have the highest risk of losses due to having the greatest volume of assets, while flooding causes significant losses to roads, in relation to the absolute value of road assets. While losses to the power and water sector are smaller, they can result in service disruption and indirect losses.

Large-scale disasters such as tropical cyclones Ian, in 2014, and Gita, in 2018, as well as the eruption of the Hunga Tonga–Hunga Ha’apai volcano, in 2022, affected up to 80% of Tonga’s population and wiped out between 12%-40% of the gross domestic product.

The report was conducted by ADB and the Tongan government from the result of an in-depth analysis of climate and disaster risks in 2020–2021. The original study provided an important assessment of climate and disaster risks affecting people on Tonga’s main island, Tongatapu, focusing on people, infrastructure, and services.

The event was attended by senior government officials, religious leaders, civil society, media, and private sector representatives.

ADB was established in 1966 and owned by 68 members, 49 from the region.