By Katalina Siasau

A $1.12 million water tank project funded by the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) will provide a safe and climate resilient water supply for some schools in Tonga.

 At the signing of the agreement on 20 March, the Acting CEO for Finance, Ms. Pisila ‘Otunuku, said that the project will ensure the sustainable management of water that is safe, clean, and accessible, especially for the children and vulnerable people.

UNDP is funding $1.12 million pa’anga for this risk-informed water tank project, and will focus on schools.

The Ministry of Finance and the UNDP signed an Agreement to implement the project under the Governance for Resilience Project yesterday at St Geroge Building, Nuku’alofa.

The Ministry will partner with MEIDECC in implementing the water tanks project.

Ms. 'Otunuku said it was important that the agreement included a risk-informed component on climate adaptation projects.

"This is also timely as we will recognise the significance of the World Water Day that will be observed on the 22 March for the sustainable management of water."

The Acting CEO acknowledged the UNDP and other development partners, with the joint funding from the government of New Zealand, and the support from the government of Australia, the British government, and other partners.

The UNDP Resident Representative, Ms. Munkhtuya (Tuya) Altangerel, from the Pacific Office in Fiji said, "The resilience in rural and community infrastructure often get overlooked. Sometimes when we are implementing rural infrastructure programs, we understand that climate proofing costs additional resources."

She announced the UNDP would commit an additional TOP$1,122,000 to this agreement.

The signing ceremony was attended by HE Ms. Lucy Joyce, delegates from development partners (New Zealand, Australia and Britain), and senior representatives of government ministries.