26th February, 2018 On 23 February 2018, H.E Mr. Tetsuya Ishii, Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of Japan to Tonga handed over emergency relief goods worth 13 million Japanese Yen, to Hon. Poasi Tei, Minister in Charge of the National Emergency Operation following the impacts of Cyclone Gita in the Kingdom of Tonga.
The Government of Japan in response to the request from the Government of Tonga provided these emergency relief goods consisting of tents, tarpaulin plastic sheets, and generators from a humanitarian point of view for the victims as well as in light of friendly relations between the two countries. These emergency relief goods were extended through Japan’s International Cooperation Agency (JICA) as an immediate response after the damage left by the severe Tropical Cyclone “Gita,” on 12 and 13 February, 2018.
“I do wish that the emergency goods are fully utilized to meet urgent needs of the affected families throughout the country,” stated H.E. Mr. Tetsuya Ishii. The emergency relief goods arrived Fua’amotu Airport on Friday noon, 23 February and will be administered for distribution by Tonga’s National Emergency Management Office, NEMO.
Hon. Poasi Tei thanked the Ambassador and conveyed that the Government of Tonga is grateful for Japan’s assistance which enable the effective and immediate response following the destruction left by Cyclone Gita.
The Emergency Assistance is integrated into Japan’s assistance for Disaster Prevention and Preparedness to NEMO and other relevant Ministries last year in June and August, which included four cargo crane truck, water tank truck, septic tank truck, emergency lamp with generators, tents, chainsaws and other technical equipment, and which are effectively and widely being utilized in the Cyclone Gita recovery operations now.
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For further enquires please contact: Ms. Hitomi Obata Second Secretary, Embassy of Japan in Tonga. Level 5, National Reserve Bank of Tonga Building / Telephone: 22-221 / Fax 27-025