A US$1.9 million grant from the Government of Japan will provide Tonga Fire & Emergency Services with firefighting trucks, including two pumper trucks, two water tanker trucks, and three pick up trucks. Prime Minister Hon. Hu’akavameiliku signed this grant under Japan's Non-Project Grant Aid (NPGA) this morning, at his office, at St. George Government building, Nuku’alofa.

“I believe that this assistance will contribute to the economic development of the Kingdom of Tonga because a disaster resilient society is the foundation for a steady social and economic development," said the Ambassador of Japan to Tonga, HE Hisao Inagaki.

After the signing ceremony, the firefighting trucks will be selected from Japan and sent to Tonga.

This grant was announced by Japan's Prime Minister Fumio Kishida when Prime Minister Hu'akavameiliku had a summit meeting with him on the sidelines of the 10^th Pacific Islands Leaders Meeting (PALM10) held in Tokyo last month. At the PALM10 also, Japan reiterated the importance of strengthening disaster risk reduction and response capacity in the Pacific region.

"I am sure that this provision of equipment will help the Tonga Fire & Emergency Services strengthen their disaster risk reduction and disaster response capacity," said the Ambassador.

Fire Commissioner Viliami Tu'ihalamaka was also present at the signing ceremony.