Tonga celebrates International Day for Disaster Reduction Featured
12 October, 2019. Tonga joins the global community in celebrating the International Day for Disaster Reduction (IDDR), which is marked annually on October 13. MEIDECC’s National Emergency Management Office (NEMO) marked the day with a special event at Vuna Road this morning.
This year’s theme is based on Target 4 of the Sendai Framework for Disaster Risk Reduction 2015-2030: ‘Substantially reduce disaster damage to critical infrastructure and disruption of basic services, among health and educational facilities, including through developing their resilience by 2030’.
Minister for MEIDECC Hon Poasi Tei said, “The overall objective of this event is to build knowledge and awareness regarding disaster risks associated with various communities and how we can access to information and services that can save lives and property in times of disasters.”
“This event is timely for the cyclone season begins next month in November and we wish to gear up preparation and to promote a nationwide effort and culture of risk-awareness and disaster reduction.”
Hon Tei emphasized the need for the public to observe IDDR in order to build a more disaster-resilient Tonga.
CEO for MEIDECC Mr Paula Ma’u said, “The Pacific Island Countries are among the most physically vulnerable nations in the world. They are highly exposed to adverse effects from climate change and natural hazards, which can affect economies, human and physical capital and impact their long-term development agendas.”
“We currently have a World Bank funded project called Pacific Resilience Program or PREP to address these issues.”
Ma’u hoped that the occasion will also mark a close collaboration between MEIDECC and stakeholders to build a resilient Tonga to withstand the “devastation of natural disasters and the adverse impact of climate change”.
Japanese Ambassador to Tonga HE Mr Tetsuya Ishii also presented prizes to the winners of the IDDR competitions which included Disaster Preparedness Promotion Video, Logo Drawing Competition and Resilience Community Poster Competition.
Services providers and emergency responder agencies including Tonga Fire and Emergency Services, Tonga Red Cross, NEMO and the Ministry of Internal Affairs also showcased their equipment and services at the event.
A prayer service dedicated to IDDR will be held tomorrow at the Tonga Constitution Church at Pahu tomorrow morning.
- MEIDECC
