HM King Tupou VI (right) with HE Dr Kazuchika Hamuro. 'Anana, Nuku'alofa, 19 June 2013.

Photos by Linny Folau

Ten days of medical and civic assistance to Tonga that concludes on Friday, June 21, under the Pacific Partnership 2013 organized by the Pacific Fleet of the United States Navy, has involved personnel from over ten countries working together under the humanitarian assistance programme.

A reception attended by HM King Tupou VI and Queen Nanasipau'u last night, June 19, was hosted by the Japanese Ambassador to Tonga HE Dr Kazuchika Hamuro who said he was appreciative of the United States efforts to lead and continue the multilateral exercise initiative. 

Commodore Captain Wallace G. Lovely said that the United States is fortunate to count Japan and the Kingdom of Tonga as friends.

"The U.S and Tonga have a long and proud relationship, while the U.S and Japan have stood alongside each other through many years. True friendships are not easy to come by - they are earned through trust and commitment, selflessness and empathy…", he said.

The countries had underscored the importance of their mission in bringing aid and comfort to overcome human despair in the event of a natural disaster. 

 Lord Tu'ivakano  with Commodore Captain Wallace G. Lovely. 'Anana, Nuku'alofa, 19 June 2013.

"No other two countries in recent history know that better than we do as proven in March 2011 when over 100 miles of Japan's coastline was devastated by the Tohoku earthquake and tsunami. The earthquakes that hit Japan and Tonga formed the catalyst of why we are here, committed and prepared to work together, and to continue to learn from those difficult lessons and put forth our combined best practices today," he said.

Working together

HE Dr Kazuchika said the Pacific Partnership 2013 organized by the Pacific Fleet of the United States Navy, one of the closest friends of Japan, aimed at improving the interoperability between governments, including the region's military forces and humanitarian organizations.

"Practice makes perfect and this exercise makes members and teams from different countries and different backgrounds work together as a team that would help us work effectively in complex emergency situations. Tonga is well known for its vulnerability to climate change risks and natural disasters. Even in the context of human security, one of the guiding principles of Japan's International Cooperation such as vulnerability, is a serious threat to human survival in a country."

He said a holistic and inclusive partnership among nations, institutions and civil society is much needed to address such huge threats.

Grateful

Tonga's Prime Minister Lord Tu'ivakano congratulated Commodore Lovely, and his team from 10 countries for conducting such valuable and successful services to better the lives of our peoples and countries.

"We are most grateful to the Pacific Partnership 2013 and the USS Pearl Harbor for the invaluable assistance provided in Tongatapu, including the building of the Te'ekiu Community Hall, the renovation of the 'Atele, Lapaha and Malapo Primary Schools, in addition to rainwater harvesting systems for several rural Health Clinics and dental work for schools and the public."

He thanked the Japanese Ambassador for hosting the reception at the residence in 'Anana to celebrate the excellent humanitarian deeds.

Mission

Meanwhile, the ten days of medical and civic assistance to Tonga concludes on Friday, June 21 at GPS 'Atele under the annual mission led by the United States Pacific Fleet. It is the region's largest humanitarian assistance programme that involves a total of 750 sailors, soldiers, marine and airmen from the United States, Australia, New Zealand, Canada, Columbia, Malaysia, France, Japan, South Korea and Singapore.

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

The United States earlier held an early Independence Day celebration in a reception that marked the start of the partnership in Tongatapu on June 13, at the Masefield Naval Base at Touliki.