The Government of Tonga continues to respond to the impacts of the current Super El Niño, which has brought prolonged dry conditions across the Kingdom.

Following the declaration of a drought in Ha’apai two weeks ago, the Prime Minister, Lord Fakafanua, directed the immediate deployment of essential drought relief supplies, including water tanks and other critical assistance. The supplies were dispatched to Ha’apai today with the support of His Majesty’s Armed Forces, ensuring timely assistance reaches affected communities.

The Government remains committed to working closely with relevant agencies to support those impacted while continuing to strengthen Tonga’s resilience to the increasing impacts of climate change.

Further updates will be provided during this Friday’s Cabinet Press Conference, broadcast live on Tonga Broadcasting Commission and BroadCom platforms. Members of the public are also encouraged to contact Tonga Meteorological Services directly for further information and advice.

ʻOku hokohoko atu pē ʻa e tokanga ʻa e Puleʻanga Tonga ki he ngaahi uesia ʻo e fa’ahi ta’u Super El Niño lolotonga, ʻa ia ‘oku ne ‘omai ‘a e la’ala’a ‘i he vaha’a taimi lōloa ki he fonua.

Hili ʻa hono fakahā ʻa e la’ala’a te ne uesia ‘a e Vahefonua Haʻapai ʻi he uike ʻe ua kuo maliu atu, naʻe tu’utu’uni ai ʻe he ʻEiki Palēmia, Lord Fakafanua, ke uta fakavavevave atu ʻa e ngaahi nāunau tokoni mahuʻinga ki he taimi la’ala’a, kau ai ʻa e ngaahi tangike vai mo e ngaahi tokoni kehe ʻoku mātuʻaki fiemaʻu. Naʻe uta atu ʻa e ngaahi nāunau ko ʻení ki Haʻapai ʻi he ʻaho ni ʻi he tokoni ʻa e Kau Tau ʻa ʻEne ʻAfio, ke fakapapauʻi ʻoku fakaaʻu kei taimi ʻa e tokoni ki he ngaahi komiuniti kuo uesia.

ʻOku kei tukupā ʻa e Puleʻanga ke ngāue vāofi mo e ngaahi potungāue mo e ngaahi kautaha felalāveʻi ke tokoniʻi ʻa kinautolu kuo uesia, lolotonga hono fakaivia ʻa e tu’unga mateuteu mo e malava ʻa Tonga ke matatali e ngaahi uesia ʻoku fakatupu mei hefeliuliuaki ʻo e ʻea.

ʻE ʻoatu ha ngaahi fakamatala fakamuimuitaha ki he kaveinga ni ʻi he fakataha ʻa e Kapineti ʻi he Falaite ko ení mo e kau faiongoongo, ʻa ia ʻe fakamafola hangatonu ʻi he Komisoni Fakamafolalea Tonga mo e letio ‘a e BroadCom. ʻOku ‘ata ki he kakai ‘o e fonua ke nau fetuʻutaki hangatonu ki he Va’a Vakai Matngi ‘a Tonga ki ha toe fakaikiiki mo ha faleʻi.