NEMO Tongatapu team visit to ‘Eua and Disaster Preparedness activities carried out in the district

27th February, 2020 The National Emergency Management Office (NEMO)’s team of 5 members from Tongatapu visited ‘Eua in the week of 24^th February, 2020 with objectives to conduct assessment of evacuation centres; Emergency Response Management Training for District Officers and Town Officers; District Emergency Management Committee (DEMC) meeting to discuss emergency response management system and procedure in the district; District Emergency Management Capacity and Needs Assessment and; conduct School Disaster Risk Awareness Training.

Working together with the Tonga Meteorological Services staff and also NEMO Focal point in ‘Eua, Siale Tahaafe, the team conducted survey/assessment of 7 evacuation centres on 24^th. The assessment has gathered information on the physical condition of evacuation centres- whether the structure is safe to use as evacuation centres, whether the structure is disability, children and gender friendly or not. These information will be used to frame the support to improve the condition of evacuation centres when there is funding available.

The team organised Emergency Response Management training to District and Town Officers. The training started by prayer from district officer from ‘Eua mainly covered the introduction of Initial Damage Assessment (IDA)’ and trained participants on conducting the ‘Assessment’ in case of emergency. To make participants confident on the use of IDA, scenario was provided and exercised to fill up the IDA Form. The team also carried out Disaster Risk Management (DRM) capacity and need assessment during the day. DEMC will convene on Wednesday 26^th February to discuss on functions and operation of DEMC in the district which will add in to develop the ‘Capacity Development Plan’ for the district.

NEMO team has a plan to continue assessment of remaining evacuation centres and also to visit some schools to train school teachers and students on Disaster Awareness during the week. The District Officers, Town officers and stakeholders in the district are appreciative of NEMO and activities carried out in this visit and agree upon to continue working on for disaster risk management activities in the district for them to be prepared for and be ready to respond to disaster in future.

NEMO acknowledged the support and ongoing collaboration from District and Town Officers and all stakeholders took part in these activities.

ENDS

Issued by the: Department of NEMO (MEIDECC)