Tonga is an important United States partner in advancing a free and open Indo-Pacific region. Our relationship is based on mutual respect, shared history, and common values of strength through diversity, fairness, and freedom.

OUR WORK

The U.S. and Tonga have a close relationship. As the world’s premier development agency, USAID focuses on promoting good governance, increasing resilience to climate change impacts, protecting biodiversity, responding to COVID-19, and preparing for and responding to disasters in Tonga to achieve shared development goals. USAID was one of the first countries to respond to the eruption of the Hunga-Tonga-Hunga-Ha’apai volcano on January 15, 2022. This event triggered tsunami waves of up to 15 meters and covered the islands with ashfall. The subsequent international response introduced COVID-19 and an ensuing health emergency declaration by the Tongan government. The event has dramatically impacted the social and economic outlook of Tonga. USAID continues to provide recovery assistance.

DEMOCRACY AND GOVERNANCE

USAID reinforces the foundations of good governance in Tonga by encouraging all citizens — including women, youth and other marginalized groups — to participate in democratic processes. USAID also supports Tongan communities to counter trafficking in persons.

ENVIRONMENT AND CLIMATE CHANGE

USAID empowers local partners to transparently and effectively manage environmental resources and adapt and respond to the climate crisis. USAID also partners with the U.S. Peace Corps to raise environmental awareness among remote communities and increase their resilience to extreme weather events; in Tonga, volunteers work with their communities to build seawalls, improve water and sanitation, construct safe houses for use during extreme weather events and integrate sound environmental practices into project planning.

HEALTH AND COVID-19 ASSISTANCE

USAID supported Tonga to prevent the spread and mitigate the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic and provided technical assistance to support vaccine deployment efforts in the region.

DISASTER PREPAREDNESS AND RESPONSE

Climate and disaster risks are existential threats to Pacific Island countries. USAID is strengthening the resources and systems that Tonga needs to prepare for and address the effects of climate change and disasters. USAID partners with local Tongan organizations to prepare for disasters year round through our disaster risk reduction programming. In the aftermath of the Hunga Tonga-Hunga Ha’apai volcano eruption in January 2022, USAID provided $2.6 million to address humanitarian needs in water, sanitation, and hygiene, shelter and settlements, protection, and food security and agriculture.

CROSS CUTTING

USAID is strengthening the capacity of locally established civil society organizations in the Pacific to address the second order impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic. USAID assistance supports communities to increase their resilience to disasters and climate risks, enhance their livelihoods, increase food security, improve access to water, bolster health and education, improve governance, manage natural resources more sustainably, and conserve vital biodiversity.