Exchange of Notes on Japan’s NPGA for the Provision of Equipment to Tonga for Practical Disaster Management
2021/7/29

His Excellency Mr. MUNENAGA Kensaku, Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of Japan to the Kingdom of Tonga and the Honourable Rev. Dr. Pohiva Tu’i’onetoa, Prime Minister of Tonga, signed on the Exchange of Notes on Japan’s Non Project Grant Aid for the provision of equipment for practical disaster management on Wednesday 28 July 2021, at the Prime Minister’s Office, Nuku‘alofa.
Present at the ceremony were Mr. Paula Ma’u, CEO for MEIDECC, Mr. Mafua Maka, Director of National Emergency Management Office (NEMO) and Government Officials of related Ministries.
In his address, H.E. Mr. MUNENAGA said that “natural disaster is an unavoidable threat to Tonga and against this reality, it is necessary for Tonga to be always well prepared for disasters and, once it happens, a well-organized and efficient response for restoration should be expected.”
“Today’s assistance is the provision of equipment for practical disaster management to NEMO under the scheme of Japan’s Non-Project Grant Aid, or NPGA and it is worth 2million US dollars. I believe that this assistance would contribute to better disaster prevention and the resilience of Tonga,” said the Ambassador. “Climate Change and Resilience is one of the priorities of Japan’s ODA policy and based on the request from the Government of Tonga, this assistance was endorsed by Japan’s Prime Minister SUGA on July 2nd in PALM9.” The provision of equipment will include water tank trucks, protective gears, loud hailers with other equipment to be finalized, and some of which will be deployed to the outer islands.
Hon. Rev. Dr. Pohiva Tu’i’onetoa, Prime Minister of Tonga, thanked the Government of Japan for approving the NPGA assistance and committing to supporting disaster preparedness and resilience efforts of both countries. “I am grateful to the Japanese Government for the quick response in approving this NPGA following our PALM9 Summit. Japan recognizes the gravity of both our struggles against climate change and our vulnerability to the health crisis,” he said.
Tonga’s Government Ministries received various provision of NPGA in economic and social development efforts. NEMO alone have benefitted under NPGA in 2015, 2017, and 2019 with multimillion worth of equipment, reinforcing national disaster response and management.
Present at the ceremony were Mr. Paula Ma’u, CEO for MEIDECC, Mr. Mafua Maka, Director of National Emergency Management Office (NEMO) and Government Officials of related Ministries.
In his address, H.E. Mr. MUNENAGA said that “natural disaster is an unavoidable threat to Tonga and against this reality, it is necessary for Tonga to be always well prepared for disasters and, once it happens, a well-organized and efficient response for restoration should be expected.”
“Today’s assistance is the provision of equipment for practical disaster management to NEMO under the scheme of Japan’s Non-Project Grant Aid, or NPGA and it is worth 2million US dollars. I believe that this assistance would contribute to better disaster prevention and the resilience of Tonga,” said the Ambassador. “Climate Change and Resilience is one of the priorities of Japan’s ODA policy and based on the request from the Government of Tonga, this assistance was endorsed by Japan’s Prime Minister SUGA on July 2nd in PALM9.” The provision of equipment will include water tank trucks, protective gears, loud hailers with other equipment to be finalized, and some of which will be deployed to the outer islands.
Hon. Rev. Dr. Pohiva Tu’i’onetoa, Prime Minister of Tonga, thanked the Government of Japan for approving the NPGA assistance and committing to supporting disaster preparedness and resilience efforts of both countries. “I am grateful to the Japanese Government for the quick response in approving this NPGA following our PALM9 Summit. Japan recognizes the gravity of both our struggles against climate change and our vulnerability to the health crisis,” he said.
Tonga’s Government Ministries received various provision of NPGA in economic and social development efforts. NEMO alone have benefitted under NPGA in 2015, 2017, and 2019 with multimillion worth of equipment, reinforcing national disaster response and management.