World Bank Vice President to East Asia and Pacific visits NEMO Featured
4 July, 2019. The Minister for MEIDECC Hon. Poasi Tei, CEO for MEIDECC Mr. Paula Ma’u together with the staff of the National Emergency Management Office (NEMO) met with the World Bank’s Vice President to East Asia and the Pacific Ms Victoria Kwakwa yesterday afternoon.
During the meeting at NEMO, the Directors of Meteorology and NEMO Mr ‘Ofa Fa’anunu and Mr Mafua Maka conducted a presentation on TC Gita response and recovery efforts.
World Bank VP Ms. Kwakwa said she was impressed that the presentation included the names of people and households that were affected by the cyclone and the quick support that were provided after TC Gita.
“I think that you have drawn the lessons as well from what happened which I think would be good for others as well.”
She said that the challenges now are the reconstruction and recovery.
Minister for MEIDECC Hon. Tei said the reconstruction of the schools will start next month while the residential reconstruction will begin next year.
After TC Gita the Government of Tonga received a payout of US$3.5 million from World Bank immediately within nine days of activation.
CEO for MEIDECC Mr. Ma’u expressed his gratitude for the World Bank’s assistance towards Tonga in Cyclone Ian and Cyclone Gita recoveries and reconstruction.
The World Bank’s Vice President arrived in Tonga on Monday, June 1st and will be departing Tonga to Fiji later this afternoon.
She was accompanied by five other senior officers from World Bank.
