Tonga: Tropical Cyclone Gita Emergency Response Project

Public sector management / Public expenditure and fiscal management

Tropical Cyclone (TC) Gita, a category 4 cyclone, struck Tonga on 12 and 13 February 2018, causing widespread destruction on the main island of Tongatapu, including the capital of Nuku'alofa, and the neighboring island of Eua. With sustained winds of 230 kmh and gusts to 278 kmh, it was one of the most powerful cyclones recorded in Tonga's history. It is estimated that more than 79,500 people (or around 79% of the population) were directly affected. Destructive winds, storm surges and flooding from TC Gita caused severe damage to government buildings, homes, and infrastructure for basic services, including water supply, waste and sanitation, electricity, and communications.

The situation report number 4 issued by Tonga's National Emergency Management Office (NEMO) on 15 February 2018 states that more than 4,500 people sought shelter on Tongatapu. Preliminary estimates show that about 50% of homes in on Tongatapu are damaged or destroyed (1,131 homes damaged, and 119 destroyed). Tonga's historic Parliament House and other public buildings such as the Office of the Prime Minister, were destroyed. It is estimated that 80% of the electricity network in the greater Nuku'alofa area is damaged, affecting not only power supply but water pumps and thus water supply as well. The electricity network could take more than 7 weeks to be fully restored.

A draft TC Gita Response Plan issued by the government on 16 February 2018 estimates that immediate response and early recovery efforts to meet immediate humanitarian needs will require funding of $18.9 million (TOP$40.9 million) over 4 weeks from 12 February 2018. It states that humanitarian and development partner support will be needed to meet priority needs in the months to come.

The government declared a 28-day state of emergency for the whole of Tonga on 12 February 2018. Tonga's NEMO is coordinating and monitoring relief efforts which are being undertaken by government agencies and local and international nongovernmental organizations. To date, efforts are focused on priority relief areas such as the provision of shelter, and the restoration of critical infrastructure, water supply and electricity.

The extent of the damage caused by TC Gita is of a scale beyond the existing capacity and resources of the government to restore life-saving services to the affected population in a reasonable amount of time. While the government has mobilized its own resources, there is a need to supplement this with additional resources from development partners, as stated in the government's draft TC Gita Response Plan. Access to affected areas for the delivery of humanitarian relief is inhibited by debris and fallen power lines, which need to be urgently cleared. On 15 February 2018, Tonga's Prime Minister identified restoring electricity, water supplies, and shelter as priorities.

The government requested support from ADB under the APDRF on 15 February 2018. Based on identified needs, a proposed grant of $1 million from the APDRF is expected to be used for expenses necessary to restore life-saving services, including (i) debris shifting, (ii) site clearance, (iii) safe disposal of rubble, (iv) restoration of critical electricity, water, communication and transport links, and (v) provision of transitional shelter. The proposed grant would contribute about 5.3% of the funding estimated to be required for immediate response and early recovery efforts as outlined in the government's draft TC Gita Response Plan.

On 16 February 2018, ADB also provided $6 million to the Government of Tonga under the Pacific Disaster Resilience Program for early recovery and reconstruction activities, which will complement APDRF resources.