Tokyo,23 August 2022 (TDI): Mioh Nemoto, Senior Advisor in the UNICEF Tokyo office, appreciated Japan’s humanitarian assistance to Tonga through his tweet.
He is also Emergency Response Coordinator for Ukraine Refugee Response in UNICEF Bulgaria Country Office.
@UNICEF は、#日本政府🇯🇵の支援を受け、太平洋の島国 #トンガ🇹🇴において、幾つもの自然災害に対する緊急人道支援と復興支援を継続。#水と衛生 支援はその一つ。誰一人 #子ども を取り残さない支援は、国境を越えて#SDGs #ForEveryChild#WorldWaterWeek#UNICEFTHXJAPAN
👉https://t.co/dIDYlEBj4A pic.twitter.com/2dMPi2wv6p
— Mioh Nemoto (@MiohNemoto) August 23, 2022
Japan provided humanitarian assistance through these aids to control the disaster caused by the volcanic eruption and tsunami in the Republic of Tonga through the Japan Self-Defense Forces.
The Government of Japan provided humanitarian assistance through three new Grant Aid Projects on 12 August 2022 for Tonga to enhance water quality.
These Projects aimed to enhance water management destabilized by natural disasters and empower the nationwide water supply system.
The Japan Air Self Defense Forse (JMSDF) aircraft C-130 landed on Tonga on 22,24,29 January and delivered essential supplies to Tonga.
These supplies included 10t drinking water, 70 high-pressure cleaners, 15000 canned tunas, and personal protective equipment (PPE). This assistance continued throughout the year.
Additional Assistance to Tonga
During Covid-19, the Government of Japan donated 7,000 doses of the AstraZeneca vaccine. In August, 26,800 and 7000 doses in December were provided by Japan to the Republic of Tonga.
In addition to the initial relief assistance, Japan provided Emergency Grant Aid of 2.5 million US dollars through World Food Program (WFP) and United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF).
Since 2015 Tonga has faced the worst weather crisis, including Cyclones, drought, enormous volcanic eruptions, and tsunamis.
Moreover, Tonga’s location bordering the Pacific “Ring of Fire” increased its tsunami risk.
Secondly, this area of high tectonic activity has had 115 tsunamis since 1990. Submarine eruptions and appearing, the disappearing island became routine.
Not only Tonga but the entire Pacific Island are among the world facing many natural disasters such as cyclones, earthquakes, tsunamis, and volcanic eruptions.
Japan Overseas Cooperation Volunteers (JOCVs) operate in ten Pacific Island Countries to assist in the fields of Education, Health, and the environment.
