Three community-based aged care centers will be built in Tongatapu with one in Vava'u, under a new USD $16.18 million project signed by the Asian Development Bank (ADB) and the Ministry of Internal Affairs. The Tonga Integrated Aged Care Project will help provide safe, high-quality integrated health and care services for older people and their caregivers.

The Acting Minister for Finance Fekitamoeloa ‘Utoikamanu and ADB Director General for the Pacific Leah Gutierrez signed the grant agreements at a virtual event held in the presence of the Acting Japanese Ambassador Toshiyuki Daishoji, on 15 December.

“Tonga is highly vulnerable to climate-related disasters, facing hazards such as cyclones, drought, heatwaves, and rising sea level,” she said.

“Older people, and especially older women, are particularly vulnerable to these hazards because they often have mobility limitations and are more prone to heat-related illnesses, placing them at risk during and after extreme weather events.”

“For the first time, Tonga will implement a multifaceted approach to aged care involving physical, emotional, social, and psychological aspects,” Ms. Gutierrez said.

The project aims to promote healthy ageing for older people and a more sustainable and positive caregiving experience for caregivers.

“The project will promote an intergenerational approach to care involving community and youth through programs that will allow older people to teach their traditional knowledge to younger generation,” said Mr. Daishoji.

ADB stated these centres will offer gender-responsive, disability-inclusive, and climate resilient integrated health and care services and other community-based services. Caregiver support is central to the project, incorporating measures to address caregivers’ needs and promote strategic, transformative approaches to caregiving.

ADB will contribute $11.5 million to the program, including $5.5 million from the Asian Development Fund gender thematic pool. The Climate Change Fund will provide $600,000, while the Japan Fund for Prosperous and Resilient Asia and the Pacific will provide grant financing equivalent to $3 million.

Meanwhile, Tonga will provide $1.08 million counterpart contribution.

The ADF thematic pool funding will be used to help reduce and rebalance unpaid care and the domestic work of women as frontline care providers. This financing will also support targeted interventions to help prevent gender-based violence and abuse of older people, and will promote the equal participation of men and women in caregiving.