13th November, 2018 The National Emergency Management Office (NEMO) in Ha’apai celebrated National Tsunami Awareness Day by introducing activities such as the National Tsunami Drill, Poster and Poetry Competitions to help raise awareness about the topic.
The activities aimed to sensitise and raise the level of consciousness in the communities, line ministries, schools and private sectors on what to do during an earthquake and to know where there assembly areas are after an earthquake in preparation for an evacuation.
Niu’ui Hospital, Ministry of Justice, Government Primary Schools of Tongaleleka, Pangai and Koulo, Governor’s Office, Sandy Beach and Ha’apai Beach Resort took part in the drill. Supporting teams comprised of His Majesty’s Armed Force, Police, Tonga Fire and Emergency Services, Red Cross and NEMO were sent out to the ministries and businesses to support their drill.
The Poster and Poetry Competition included students from primary andsecondary schools submitting posters on what to do before, during and after a tsunami; while others wrote poems on the topic Tsunami mo Hono Anga!. The prizes were gift vouchers donated by the Governor’s Office, Matafonua Beach Resort, Delights Café, the Magistrate, Sepeti & Kami Supply, Tino Taukolo and Lu’isa Finepolo.
The Director for NEMO acknowledged the support from ministries, schools, private sectors as well as the sponsors, for making the Tsunami Awareness week at Ha’apai a success.
ENDS
Issued by the: Ministry of Meteorology, Energy, Information, Disaster Management, Environment, Climate Change and Communications.