Photos by Linny Folau

Opening of the Pacific Partnership 2013 at Masefield Naval Base, Touliki, 12 June 2013.

Ten days of medical and civic assistance to Tonga under the Pacific Partnership Mission began on Tongatapu today, June 12 with the arrival of the USS Pearl Harbor bringing military personnel and civilians including doctors and veterinarians.

The annual mission led by the United States Pacific Fleet is the region's largest humanitarian assistance and disaster relief mission and this year involves a total of 750 sailors, soldiers, marine and airmen from the United States, Australia, New Zealand, Canada, Columbia, Malaysia, France, Japan and Singapore.

The mission also brings a large group of civilians, including volunteers from Non-Government Organizations and U.S government agencies, to work alongside Tongan counterparts.

In Tongatapu the mission is to focus on two priority areas of education and health, with other community projects. It will include the construction of a classroom block for the Government Primary School at Lapaha, with renovation to GPS Malapo, Afa and 'Atele, and installation of water catchment for health clinics at Fua'amotu, Nukunuku, Kolonga and Houma.

The partnership will also hold a groundbreaking ceremony for the construction of a new community hall at Te'ekiu to be built at a cost of US$1.2 million and expected to be completed in August this year. 

Medical programs will be held throughout clinics in Tongatapu including Kolovai, Nukunuku, Mu'a, Vaiola, Fua'amotu and Nuku'alofa as well as veterinarian programs at Ha'ateiho and Vaini.

The mission will also hold Information Exchange at various Government Ministries to include Humanitarian Assistance and Disaster Response symposium, a Meteorology and Climate Change workshop and post disaster infrastructure assessment.

Cooperation

"We are ready to execute the Pacific Partnership 2013," said Commodore Captain Wallace G. Lovely, the Commander of the Partnership during an opening ceremony held on June 12, at the Tonga Defence Service Masefield Naval Base at Touliki.

The mission is a cooperative effort that involves military and civilian professionals from partner nations and Tonga. "The relationship built and sustained through these multi-agencies efforts will enhance our ability to rapidly response and work collectively in support of emergency humanitarian assistance and disaster relief," he said.

Commodore Capt Lovely said this mission provides expert exchanges and delivery of skills across a wide spectrum of subjects with the Tongans.

Prime Minister Lord Tu'ivakano thanked the U.S Government for sponsoring the mission and the international participants from the various countries.

"We are prepared to combine our effects to complete the engineering, medical, community and disaster response projects. Your donations and provision of information and skill transfer will help our people in areas we do not always meet financially and technically", he said.

Benefits

The Commander of the Tonga Defence Services Brigadier-General Tau'aika 'Uta'atu said the arrival of the partnership brought a sense of unity and cooperation among the participating nations. This year marks the third time Tonga has benefited from the program since it was first held in Ha'apai in 2009 and Vava'u in 2011, he said.

"Six projects will be built and completed under this partnership, except Te'ekiu which will be completed later in the year. Through the partnership it is estimated they will spent more than $1 million pa'anga in Tonga through purchasing of construction materials, fuel, food and hiring of equipment and vehicles which helps the Tongan economy."

The Brigadier-General said since the start of the partnership the mission had always brought together Asia Pacific countries to learn and share experiences on how to plan and deal with various scenarios of natural disasters, health issues and animal welfare issues.

The closing ceremony for the partnership will be held on Friday, June 21 at the GPS 'Atele before the USS Pearl Harbor departs Nuku'alofa on June 22.

The opening ceremony was attended by the U.S Ambassador to Tonga HE Frankie Reed, members of the diplomatic corps and other guests.