Tonga: Tropical Cyclone Gita Emergency Response Project
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.
Project Details
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Project Officer
Aelbers, Erik
Pacific Department
Request for information -
Country/Economy
Tonga -
Sector
- Public sector management
Project Name | Tropical Cyclone Gita Emergency Response Project | ||||
Project Number | 52075-001 | ||||
Country / Economy | Tonga |
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Project Status | Closed | ||||
Project Type / Modality of Assistance | Grant |
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Source of Funding / Amount |
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Strategic Agendas | Environmentally sustainable growth Inclusive economic growth |
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Drivers of Change | Gender Equity and Mainstreaming Governance and capacity development Private sector development |
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Sector / Subsector | Public sector management / Public expenditure and fiscal management |
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Gender Equity and Mainstreaming | Gender equity | ||||
Description | 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. |
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Project Rationale and Linkage to Country/Regional Strategy | 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 $6 million to the Government of Tonga under the Pacific Disaster Resilience Program for early recovery and reconstruction activities, which will complement APDRF resources. |
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Impact |
Project Outcome | |
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Description of Outcome | |
Progress Toward Outcome | |
Implementation Progress | |
Description of Project Outputs | |
Status of Implementation Progress (Outputs, Activities, and Issues) | The special assistance grant was fully disbursed on 23 February 2018 |
Geographical Location | Nation-wide |
Summary of Environmental and Social Aspects | |
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Environmental Aspects | N/A |
Involuntary Resettlement | N/A |
Indigenous Peoples | N/A |
Stakeholder Communication, Participation, and Consultation | |
During Project Design | |
During Project Implementation |
Responsible ADB Officer | Aelbers, Erik |
Responsible ADB Department | Pacific Department |
Responsible ADB Division | Pacific Subregional Office in Suva, Fiji |
Executing Agencies |
Ministry of Finance Vuna Road Nuku'alofa Kingdom of Tonga |
Timetable | |
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Concept Clearance | 09 Jan 2020 |
Fact Finding | - |
MRM | - |
Approval | 21 Feb 2018 |
Last Review Mission | - |
Last PDS Update | 28 Sep 2018 |
Grant 0567-TON
Milestones | |||||
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Approval | Signing Date | Effectivity Date | Closing | ||
Original | Revised | Actual | |||
21 Feb 2018 | 22 Feb 2018 | 22 Feb 2018 | 22 Aug 2018 | - | 22 Aug 2018 |
Financing Plan | Grant Utilization | ||||
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Total (Amount in US$ million) | Date | ADB | Others | Net Percentage | |
Project Cost | 1.00 | Cumulative Contract Awards | |||
ADB | 1.00 | 17 Jun 2022 | 1.00 | 0.00 | 100% |
Counterpart | 0.00 | Cumulative Disbursements | |||
Cofinancing | 0.00 | 17 Jun 2022 | 1.00 | 0.00 | 100% |
Project Data Sheets (PDS) contain summary information on the project or program. Because the PDS is a work in progress, some information may not be included in its initial version but will be added as it becomes available. Information about proposed projects is tentative and indicative.
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Title | Document Type | Document Date |
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Tropical Cyclone Gita Emergency Response Project: Audited Project Financial Statements (22 February-28 August 2018) | Audited Project Financial Statements | Sep 2019 |
Grant Agreement (Asia Pacific Disaster Response Fund) for Grant 0567-TON: Tropical Cyclone Gita Emergency Response Project | Agreements | Feb 2018 |
Safeguard Documents See also: Safeguards
Safeguard documents provided at the time of project/facility approval may also be found in the list of linked documents provided with the Report and Recommendation of the President.
None currently available.
Evaluation Documents See also: Independent Evaluation
None currently available.
Related Publications
None currently available.
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Tenders
No tenders for this project were found.
Contracts Awarded
Contract Title | Approval Number | Contract Date | Contractor | Address | Executing Agency | Total Contract Amount (US$) | Contract Amount Financed by ADB (US$) |
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DISASTER RELIEF AND PROVISION OF LIFE-PRESERVING SERVICES FOR COMMUNITIES AFFECTED BY TC GITA. | Grant 0567 | 22 Feb 2018 | VARIOUS | VARIOUS TONGA | Ministry of Finance and National Planning | 1,000,000.00 | — |
Procurement Plan
None currently available.