Disasters, Conflicts and Migration 

Natural Disasters 

For a more detailed database on disasters by country, please see the Centre for Research on Epidemiology of Disasters Country Profile. 

Seasonal Effects on Logistics Capacities 

Seasonal Effects on Transport 

Main seasonal effects on transport are climatic, occurring during the wet season, November through until April, when roads are subject to flooding and damage due to heavy rain, particularly in coastal areas. This may result in closing access to villages and small towns. 

Flash flooding in low-lying areas of the hilly islands may make movement hazardous. 

During this period inter-island sea transport may also be disrupted due to the cyclonic effects of high winds and rough seas. 

Seasonal Effects on Storage and Handling 

Seasonal effects are weather related issues due to heavy rains and high winds during cyclone season (Nov – Apr) disrupting transport by both road and sea, resulting in loss of access to storage facilities and manpower. 

Capacity and Contacts for In-Country Emergency Response 

GOVERNMENT 

Disaster Risk Management Bill 2021 

Tonga is among the most disaster-prone countries in the world with many hazards predicted to intensify with climate change. The Emergency Management Act 2007 (Act) provides the legal framework for all emergency and disaster risk management policies, procedure and programming in Tonga. 

The National Disaster Council (Cabinet) is the highest governing body with three national committees providing governance support: the National Emergency Management Committee (NEMC), the National Emergency Operation Committee (NEOC), and the National Recovery Committee (NRC). The National Emergency Management Office (NEMO) serves as a secretariat for emergency committees together with the Act. The Act mandates Tonga to develop emergency management plans at national, district (islands) and village level which would then become the governing document for emergency and disaster risk management in Tonga. Emergency management plans are ‘live’ documents to be reviewed each year to accommodate the new and changing environment in Tonga. 

The Disaster Risk Management Bill of 2021 was gazetted in July 2023. The DRM Bill 2021 is a Bill for an Act to make provision for emergency management in Tonga. The purpose of the Disaster Risk Management Act 2021 is to establish a coherent legal, institutional, and regulatory framework for – 

1. planning and management of disaster risk reduction and preparedness activities before a disaster occurs; 

2. coordinating emergency response during a disaster; and 

3. facilitating disaster recovery work following a disaster. 

The Ministry of Meteorology, Energy, Information, Disaster Management, Environment, Climate Change and Communications (MEIDECC) is responsible for climate resilience and disaster risk management in Tonga. The National Disaster Risk Management Office (NDRMO) (formerly the National Emergency Management Office) is embedded within the MEIDECC and responsible for the coordination of risk reduction and emergency management activities in Tonga.  

Other key emergency management actors include line ministries, and first responders (including the Tonga Police, Tonga Fire & Emergency Services, and His Majesty’s Armed Forces - Tonga, Tonga Red Cross Society), humanitarian organisations, church and faith-based organisations and various utility corporations. 

Part I Section 7 (2) stipulates. 

“Where the laws of the Kingdom do not provide for the declaration of a state of emergency in a situation listed in subsection (1)(a) to subsection (1)(f), the Prime Minister may, with the consent of Cabinet, declare a state of emergency under this Act and identify the lead agency to be at the forefront of response activities.” (Disaster Risk Management Act 2021, page 14)  

For more information on government contact details, please see the following link: 4.1 Government Contact List  

HUMANITARIAN COMMUNITY 

Disaster Risk Management Act 2021, Part XI 

PART XI – FACILITATION OF INTERNATIONAL ASSISTANCE  

92 Regulations for facilitation of international assistance  

The Minister shall make regulations for the facilitation of international assistance for disaster response and recovery to the Kingdom under this Act.  

93 Consultation with relevant stakeholders  

The Ministry shall consult with relevant stakeholders for the development of regulations in section 92, in particular –  

(a) key Government Ministries and governing bodies under this Act;  

(b) development partners.  

(c) Tonga Red Cross Society.  

(d) faith-based and non-government organisations; and  

(e) to the extent possible, Tongan diaspora. 

For more information on humanitarian agency contact details, please see the following link: 4.2 Humanitarian Agency Contact List 

The Tongan Government structure has single desk Ministries and Ministries with multiple portfolios. In cases where the portfolios are grouped, these are headed by the Chief Executive Officers who report to the relevant Minister. 

Ministry Of Finance and National Planning  

Considers economic and financial needs of country guided by Tongan Strategic Framework Vision using the National Infrastructure and Investment Plan (NIIP) 

Ministry of Meteorology, Information, Disaster Management, Climate Change, Environment, Climate Change and Communications (MEIDECC) 

• Overseas disaster management planning and coordination. 

• The Department of Communications, under this Ministry (MEIDECC), is the party responsible for licensing relating to frequencies, and importation of telecommunications equipment. The Kingdom of Tonga is a party to Tampere Convention via accession. The Tampere Convention provides concessions relating to the importation of telecommunications equipment during disaster times. 

• In October 2015, the Tongan government passed the new Communications Bill 2015 (Communications Act 2015 and the Communications Commission Act 2015) which gave increased powers to the government in regard to controlling internet access.  

Ministry of Revenue and Customs  

• Responsible for tax revenue collection and customs administration for the Government of Tonga to fund the services to the people of Tonga. The Ministry is also responsible for border security and trade facilitation. 

• Tonga is involved in the following trade agreements; Pacific Agreements for Closer Economic Relations, South Pacific Regional Trade and Economic Co-0peration Agreement, African, Caribbean, Pacific (ACP)-European Union (EU) Partnership Agreement. Tonga is a member of the following organisations World Trade Organisation (WTO), International Finance Corporation (IFC), Asian Development Bank (ADB), African, Caribbean and Pacific Group of States (ACP), G77, United nations Conference on Trade and Development (UNCTAD), Food and Agriculture Organisation of the United Nations (FAO) 

Ministry Of Infrastructure  

• Amalgamation of the former Ministry of Transport and Works Civil Aviation Division (CAD) responsible for: 

• Ensuring industry compliance with aviation legislation; and 

• Ensuring that roads are designed, constructed and maintained to internationally recognized standards and specifications that have been approved and adopted by Mol. 

The Marine and Ports Division responsibilities include: 

• Maritime Safety and Security Unit 

• Maritime Environment Unit 

• Outer Island Ports Unit 

• Administration Support Unit 

Civil Engineering Division (CED) provides systems of rules regulation, policies and enforcement to guide safe, secure, affordable, sustainable and environmentally sound engineering works on major infrastructure in Tonga. 

The Ministry of Internal Affairs 

Combines the Ministry of Training Employment, Youth and Sports (MOTEYS) with the District/Town Officer Department. The Ministry of Internal Affairs consolidates the policy and many of the delivery functions related to social and community development including: 

- Promotion of women's rights and gender issues; promotion and protection of culture; 

- Development of youth and sports; 

- Management of seasonal work schemes; 

- Development of local government capacity and engagement with Government as well as the management of District Development Committees. 

The Ministry will complement the efforts of other Ministries to promote strong inclusive communities in meeting their service needs and ensuring equitable distribution of development benefits. 

For more information on regulatory departments and quality control laboratories’ contact details, please see the following links: 4.1 Government Contact List and 4.3 Laboratory and Quality Testing Company Contact List  

There are three ports in Tonga: Nuku’alofa, Neiafu and Paangai in terms of merchant marine.  

The Port of Nuku'alofa is the Kingdom of Tonga's leading port, on the main island of Tongatapu, serving the country’s vital international trades through a broad range of cargo handling and logistics services. 

The Ports Authority manages and maintains the operations and assets of the ports, encouraging the development of commercially viable and efficient ports in Tonga. (Source: https://www.portsauthoritytonga.com/about-port-authority )     

The existing ports have sufficient capacity for foreseeable needs, and whilst the port system meets these basic needs for coverage, capacity, and compliance; the standard of infrastructure has suffered from a lack of investment in core infrastructure and facilities; and insufficient emphasis on maintenance of outer-island ports and channels.  

However, these issues are being addressed as part of the Government of Tonga’s National Infrastructure and Investment Plan (NIIP). 

There are 680 km of highways in Tonga, of which some 40% km are paved, 

Tonga has an extensive network of roads. This network provides good access links to communities in terms of connectivity, but in some areas the condition has deteriorated significantly due to insufficient emphasis on maintenance. 

The Government of Tonga is addressing this problem through several roads rehabilitation and upgrading programs in collaboration with its development partners. The National Roads Improvement Project will rehabilitate selected trunk roads throughout the country, and the Transport Sector Consolidation Project (TSCP) will trial a new approach to road maintenance that makes greater use of private sector involvement.   

In addition to these broader programs, commitments are already in place for specific investments to rehabilitate the Vaipua Bridge (Vava’u) and Foa Causeway (Ha’apai). In the longer term, the Government of Tonga will continue this emphasis on road maintenance and rehabilitation.   

There is a major bottleneck to evacuate people from Nuku’alofa’s low-lying Popua district to higher ground in the case of surge seas. GoT is considering options for a new road linking Nuku’alofa with the southern side of Fanga’uta Lagoon by bridge or causeway. This road would provide better access to the southern and eastern sides of Tongatapu and the airport, and provide an alternative evacuation/access route in case of natural disaster. 

For more information on government contact details, please see the following link: 4.1 Government Contact List  

Distance Matrix (km) 

Travel Time from Capital City to Major Towns (minutes) 

Road Security 

There have been a few driving fatalities amounting to 14 in 2022 (https://www.rnz.co.nz/international/pacific-news/481256/road-toll-in-tonga-more-than-doubles-this-year ) due to speeding, alcohol and drunk driving. Driving in Tonga can be hazardous, particularly at night, due to poor visibility, the quality of roads, the significant volume of pedestrian traffic and free-roaming animals.  

The speed limit in most locations is 40 km per hour. 

Weighbridges and Axle Load Limits 

Beyond registration fees, there are only a few regulations in place in Tonga. No axle load limits exist yet, but it is one of the objectives of the new Ministry of Infrastructure.  

There are no weighbridges in Tonga. 

NOTE: 

Waterways in this context relates to ‘interisland sea travel’. 

Domestic shipping services 

There is one domestic shipping service, the government-owned Friendly Islands Shipping Agency (FISA) which operates inter-island shipping services, including the ferry service, on a commercial basis. 

Due to the isolated nature and relatively small size and population of a few outer islands, internal (interisland) waterways form a vital part of Tonga’s supply chain. Many of the smaller islands have neither docking capability for larger vessels nor airstrips, making them reliant on supply by small boats for commerce, social, educational and medical needs. 

There are a few smaller, private operators transporting small cargo and providing water taxi and charter services. 

Services are weather-dependent and may be cancelled due to windy / rough water conditions, particularly during the cyclone season (Nov – Apr).  

The Government has stated its highest priority for the maritime sector is increasing the safety and resilience of all maritime activities, especially in relation to inter-island shipping. There is currently no budget or timelines set for any significant developments. 

For more information on government contact details, please see the following link: 4.1 Government Contact List  

Company Information 

The sole domestic shipping company operating is the government-owned Friendly Islands Shipping Agency. 

There is adequate cargo and passenger capacity at present and there are no immediate plans to expand services in the region. 

Maintenance and safety issues have arisen in the past with reported ferry groundings. The most notable incident was the sinking of the inter-island ferry the MV Princess Ashika which sank in 2009 with the loss of 74 persons. Despite the Ministry of Transport surveyor’s claims which considered the vessel to be totally unseaworthy, they failed to stop vessel operations. 

For more information on waterway company contact details, please see the following link: 4.4 Port and Waterways Companies Contact List  

Passenger Carrying Capacity 

Travel Time Matrix 

The travel times below are taken using the MV ‘Otuanga’ofa. (400 passenger Ferryboat) 

Travel time from main port to other major ports on a moving vessel (travel times indicated in hours) 

Port Information 

Key Port Information 

Generally, warehousing space belongs to:

  - private transport companies

  - private retailers

  - government agencies (Tonga Defence Services, MOW, MIA)

While these operations generally use their storage capacities to the upmost, they may be able to provide ad-hoc support in time of emergencies.

The main storage capacities found in the country are using containers. The containers are easily available, either for rental or procurement.

Container storage is adequate for short-term storage

In the villages the churches are the most appropriate temporary storage facilities. Especially the Mormons churches are very solid and located in fenced and protected environment. Each village has many churches on its territory.

In addition to the many halls and churches available there are many suitable spaces such as sports grounds and vacant land that can be quickly identified for siting temporary storage facilities (MSU’s) close to populated areas.   

For more information on storage company contact details, please see the following link: HQ staff will input a link to section 4.6 Storage and Milling Companies Contact List here.

Commercial Storage 

There are few facilities that could be considered intermodal sites. At the ports there are the usual on-wharf container stacking areas and limited covered packing/unpacking facilities within the port precincts.

Some private sector transport companies and shipping lines have off-wharf container depots providing some consolidation into containers. There are also some industry specific warehouse and distribution centres but little in the way of common user stores.

The port operating company (Port Authority Tonga) have a storage facility of approx. 150 m² available for short term use. It is generally only full to capacity around December.

Storage Used by Humanitarian Organisations 

There is a planned shared warehouse to be purpose built and coordinated by NEMO to incorporate their offices and storage for prepositioning of some supplies.

This is envisaged to be completed in 2017-18 and will provide approximately 200m²  storage space.

Tonga Red Cross has a warehouse that they share space with CARITAS. It is in fair to poor repair. They anticipate moving there current stocks to NEMO’s proposed shared warehouse space when it is completed.

Public Sector Storage 

There is no public sector storage as such. The military and Ministry of Internal Affairs have limited storage space.

As per detailed narrative above, best emergency storage options will be churches and public halls that could be made available in all villages.

Cold Chain

There are no significant cold chain facilities available. Recommendation is to ship refrigerated containers if this facility is required for large-scale storage of vaccines or medicine.

Tonga has no milling facilities; all products are imported, mainly from the FMF Mill in Fiji.The company has operated for over 40 years. FMF products are available in over twenty countries including Australia, New Zealand, all Pacific Island countries, United States and Canada. For contact details, see the following link: 4.6 Tonga Storage and Milling Company Contact List

Overview 

There are two major companies marketing and supplying fuel in Tonga, Total Energies and Pacific Energy SWP Limited (PE SWP). Total Energies is a major multinational. Fiji-based Pacific Energy has operated for over 65 years and maintains strong links with Shell through a supply agreement and technical assistance. Since early 2009 a local Tongan company (Vatu) has been supplying the Ha’apai group of islands direct from Fiji using their own LCT (Local Coastal Tankers). The Niuas are supplied with drums from Tongatapu. 

Total Energies and Pacific Energy have terminal facilities 0.5 n.m. east of Queen Salote Wharf in Nuku’alofa. Currently, tankers discharge just outside the reef directly offshore from the terminals using a Mediterranean mooring system which can accommodate local coastal tankers, typically LOA 80m., max draft 5.0m., 3.000gt. Cargo transfer is by flexible hose between a permanent manifold by one of the dolphins and vessels manifold. Handles products at a rate of 200 m3 / hr. The port handles approx. 40-50 million litres of petroleum products per year. Total Energies’ storage capacity is 1,155,670 litres. Pacific Energy has storage capacity for 464,310 litres. 

The companies use a similar supply route. Tonga’s volume is included in regional demand, combining with volume for Fiji, Samoa, American Samoa, Vanuatu, New Caledonia and other Pacific Islands (as applicable for each company). This allows the supply to be bulked up into suitable cargo sized volumes (30,000 tonnes/40 million litres) that can be supplied from the Singapore market, the main trading and export refining centre in the Asia-Pacific region. The larger ships (Medium Range Tankers) are not currently able to call in Tonga, so Tonga’s volume is included in Fiji’s supply and delivered to Fiji’s Vuda terminal. From Vuda it is loaded onto much smaller vessels (Local Coastal Tankers - LCT) for shipping to Tonga. Whilst supply of fuel has generally been consistent, there was a disruption to Vava’u supply for several weeks during 2016 due to delays experienced by Pacific Energy in its replacement of the normal LCT with a bigger vessel. 

For more information on government and fuel provider contact details, please see the following links:  4.1 Government Contact List and 4.7 Fuel Providers Contact List 

Information may also be found at: https://www.mted.gov.to/index.php/2024/02/16/new-petroleum-prices-for-f… which is updated monthly.  

Fuel Pricing 

The cost of petroleum fuel in Tonga is made up of four main components.  

- cost of the fuel on the international market (44%)  

- cost of the supply route to get it to Tonga (  9%) 

- supplying companies operating costs and recovery on their investment  ( 9%) 

- taxes and levies applied by Authorities and the Government of Tonga.       (38%) 

The largest single consumer of petroleum fuel is Tonga Power which uses diesel for electricity generation. Total Energy is currently contracted to meet this demand. As a result, diesel is the most significant product supplied to the market. Jet fuel/kerosene is only supplied to Tongatapu.  

Seasonal Variations  

There are no seasonal variations. Price is Government controlled. 

Fuel Transportation 

Internal transportation of fuel products is carried out by trucks. 

Total Energies: 

• 2 tankers on Tongatapu with total carrying capacity of 45,000 L; and 

• 1 tanker (carrying capacity of 14,000 L) on each of Ha’apai and Vava’u islands. 

Pacific Energy: 

• 5 tankers on Tongatapu with total capacity of 100,000 L; and 

• 1 tanker (carrying capacity of 14,000 L) on each of Ha’apai and Vava’u islands. 

Tonga Power’s LCT vessel is used to transport bulk fuel for its own use from Tongatapu to Ha’apai and Vava’u. Other fuel to the outer islands is transported by drum or IBC (1,500 L). 

The transportation infrastructure and fleet are sufficient to handle current domestic needs as well as increased demand from the humanitarian community. 

Standards, Quality and Testing 

Both fuel suppliers to Tonga adhere to international standards of fuel quality as required by the Fiji Government, which is the transhipment point for each of them. They have onsite laboratories in Tonga at their storage depots and strict quality control is enforced. 

Disclaimer: Inclusion of company information in the LCA does not imply any business relationship between the supplier and WFP / Logistics Cluster, and is used solely as a determinant of services, and capacities.  

Please note: WFP / Logistics Cluster maintain complete impartiality and are not in a position to endorse, comment on any company's suitability as a reputable service provider. 

Road Transport 

Due to the small size of its islands, land transport is not really developed in Tonga. Trucks are small and family owned. On Tongatapu islands, two private land transport companies can be found at the port. During an emergency, government agencies transport capacities, mainly from Transport and Works departments as well as the ones from Tonga Defence Services, Police and Fire Service will be used. This amounts to a total of approximately 60 x 4-ton trucks. 

On the islands of Ha’apai, Vava’u and outer islands, transport is done by locals with private vehicles and tractors with trailers. 

Current capacity is adequate for the local demand and would likely be able accommodate surge in case of additional humanitarian requirements. 

For more information on transport company contact details, please see the following link: 4.8 Transporter Contact List  

Tranzpacific Ltd Transport Capacity Summary 

Molapu Quarry Transport Capacity Summary 

Disclaimer: Inclusion of company information in the LCA does not imply any business relationship between the supplier and WFP / Logistics Cluster, and is used solely as a determinant of services, and capacities.  

Please note: WFP / Logistics Cluster maintain complete impartiality and are not in a position to endorse, comment on any company's suitability as a reputable service provider. 

Overview

There are no formalised trade unions in Tonga, although the 1964 Act of Parliament provides the legislation needed for unions to be formed (2009). Employers and employees in the private sector negotiate directly to establish working conditions and discuss salaries. 

Manual labour is employed predominately in the agricultural and fishing industries. 

In times of need (due to natural disasters), the military provides the bulk of manual labourers. This is readily supplemented by volunteer labour from the villages. 

Historically, humanitarian agencies have not experienced any problems with securing adequate manual labour and do not anticipate it being an issue in future. 

Labour Rate(s) Overview 

Overview

Mobile phone and internet services are available throughout the country, including smaller and more remote communities.  

Connectivity from the main island of Tongatapu to outer islands via microwave connectivity is improving the data speeds accessible on the outer islands, by reducing the dependency on satellite-based internet connectivity. Tongatapu was connected to a submarine cable in 2013. Tonga Cable Limited (TCL) is a public enterprise and its three shareholders are the Tonga Government 66.6%, Tonga Communications Corporation (TCC) 16.7%, and Digicel Tonga Limited 16.7%. TCL was formed in November 2009 with the approval of the Government of Tonga to build and manage a submarine fibre optic connecting Tonga to Fiji, which was commissioned in August 2013.  

The cable is 827 kilometres long and has its cable landing station at Sopu, a suburb of Nukuʻalofa in Tonga, and in Suva, Fiji. It provides 20 Gbps through its branching into the trans-Pacific Southern Cross Cable in Suva. An extension of the cable to Haʻapai and Vavaʻu was commissioned in April 2018. The segment of the cable was shattered and destroyed in multiple places during the Hunga-Tonga-Hunga-Ha’apai volcanic eruption in January 2022, new cable was manufactured and the two recoverable ends of the cable were re-joined with the new segment and service was restored slightly over a month after the eruption.   

AM radio remains one of the most important communication channels in Tonga to reach communities for early warning and disaster recovery messages. AM radio plays an important role in sending messages to outer island communities including information about scheduled arrivals of shipping and airline services and has a vital role in broadcasting regular weather reports and cyclone and tsunami warnings. It is a vital lifeline during times of natural disasters. The Government of Tonga is working with the JICA (Government of Japan) to increase the resilience of the AM radio network in the country. 

There are three telecommunications network operators in Tonga, namely, Digicel , TCC and WanTok. Digicel Tonga (formerly TonFon) is a privately owned company and Tonga Communications Corporation (TCC) is a state-owned public enterprise. TCC has a strategic partnership alliance with Vodafone Fiji.  

In 2016, Digicel deployed what was, at the time, the world’s longest microwave relay (189 kilometres) stationed on Kao Island, an uninhabited volcanic island in the Ha’apai group. It connects the islands of Tongatapu, Eua, Ha’apai, and Vava’u. The link supplied data connectivity with a capacity of 200Mbps to Ha’apai and 600Mbps to Vava’u. The site was running on an autonomous power supply (solar, batteries, diesel generators) until it stopped working after the HT-HH eruption in January 2022. In late 2022, Digicel repaired and upgraded the link. (https://www.etcluster.org/document/tonga-volcanic-eruptiontsunami-global-etc-teleconference-17-26-october-2022 )  

WanTok is the most recent inclusion into the market, launched in 2021 with Headquarters in Port Vila, Vanuatu. WanTok provides mobile services, banking solutions, wireless broadband and cloud hosting services. They also provide internet broadband services via its radio links to customers and businesses with coverage of 70 to 80% on Tongatapu only.  

There are no restrictions on obtaining SIM cards for mobile telephone connectivity. Photo identification must be supplied when purchasing a SIM card. Data plans are readily available. 

For more information on telecoms contacts, please see the following link: 4.11 Additional Services Contact List 

Telecommunications Regulations 

The Department of Communications, under the Ministry of Meteorology, Energy, Information, Disaster Management, Environment, Climate Change and Communications (MEIDECC), is the party responsible for licensing relating to frequencies, and importation of telecommunications equipment. The Kingdom of Tonga is a party to Tampere Convention via accession. The Tampere Convention provides concessions relating to the importation of telecommunications equipment during disaster times. 

Regulations on Usage and Import 

Existing Humanitarian Telecoms Systems 

Various telecommunications systems are in place in Tonga, including a VHF and HF radio network that is used by the NDRMO and Meteorological services. A discussion is underway to implement a common emergency channel shared between first response agencies (proposal is to reuse the existing frequencies already used by the NDRMO). In the event of disaster, it is recommended that the humanitarian community configure the existing radio channels used by the NEMO (with approval from the NDRMO and Met Services). The Tonga Red Cross have satellite phones at various locations. 

Existing Telecommunication Systems 

Internet Service Providers (ISPs) 

Internet is available on all islands, and organisations can contract directly with private ISPs for their internet service. Major ISPs are DigiNET (Digicel) and Kalianet (TCC). Internet over mobile broadband is also available subject to the network coverage of the mobile network operators (Digicel and TCC). 

Mobile Network Operators (MNOs) 

There are three mobile network operators – TCC (U-Call), Digicel Tonga and WanTok. The mobile network operators offer GSM and 3G services, including mobile broadband. The Digicel network has coverage across Tonga except to the northern group of islands, called Nuias. The UCall (TCC) network covers all of Tonga including the northern group of islands such as Niuafo‘ou, Niuatoputapu, Nomuka and Ha‘afeva. For other information on MNOs visit the GSM Association website.  

Most of the population engages in some form of subsistence production of food, with approximately half producing almost all their basic food needs through farming, sea harvesting, and animal husbandry. Farmers join in cooperatives to supply bulk produce for the export market. Tonga’s exports in 2014 totalled $17.3 million. Non-Fillet Fish represented 19.4% followed by Other Vegetables at 10%. Agricultural exports account for around 66% of the country's total exports.  

There is no major manufacturing or production capacity. 

Of Tonga’s total imports in 2014, Poultry accounted for 5% ($12 mil) and Other Foodstuffs accounted for 11% ($30 mil). Of ‘Other Foodstuffs pasta (13%) and other prepared meat (12%). 

In general, local produce can feed the local demand at a basic level. Most households have gardens and access to livestock or fish that will sustain them even in the aftermath of natural disasters. It should be noted that although Tonga imports large quantities of food, this is for variety not survival. 

Generic country information can be located from sources which are regularly maintained and reflect current facts and figures. For a general overview of country data related to the service and supply sectors, please consult the following sources: 

The Observatory of Economic Complexity – MIT (OEC): https://oec.world/en/profile/country/ton  

Disclaimer: Inclusion of company information in the LCA does not imply any business relationship between the supplier and WFP / Logistics Cluster, and is used solely as a determinant of services, and capacities.  

Please note: WFP / Logistics Cluster maintain complete impartiality and are not in a position to endorse, comment on any company's suitability as a reputable service provider. 

Overview

Generally most services that may be required for an agency’s immediate program support needs are available. Up to date technology and training has been imported from Australia and New Zealand.

For more information on company contact details, please see the following link: 4.2.8 Tonga Additional Service Provision Contact List.

Accommodation

Due to Tonga’s popularity as a tourist destination there is a reasonable amount of accommodation options (over 50) ranging from high-end hotel to backpacker and lodges. Longer-term rental house are in shorter supply although there are currently a number of entrepreneurial developers building specifically for this market.

Electricity and Power

Tonga has around 85% of the population on-grid and high levels of supply reliability. Voltage is 220-240V. Plugs are 2 V-shaped flat prongs. Cost of electricity is high largely as a result of Tonga’s reliance on diesel-powered generation for on-grid services.

Service is generally reliable and uninterrupted.  Short localised outages may be experienced as a result of damaged lines after severe storms

Tonga Power Limited (TPL), the national utility, generates and distributes electricity on all four grids (Tongatapu, ‘Eua, Ha‘apai, and Vava‘u), and are currently powered by diesel generators fuelled with automotive diesel oil (ADO).

In 2000, when the last energy balance table was compiled, imported petroleum products accounted for 75% of Tonga's energy supply, with 25% from biomass (i.e. fuel wood and wood waste, coconut and palm oil residues) and off-grid solar PV.

The Energy sector has been identified as one of the infrastructure sectors at greatest risk from the impacts of climate change and natural disasters.

Financial Services

Australian and New Zealand bank (ANZ) and Bank Of the South Pacific (BSB) are present in Tonga. There are a number of ATM machines where most major international banks can be accessed, on the 3 main islands. All normal banking facilities are present.

ANZ Bank

ANZ Tonga is a full service retail and commercial bank that offers comprehensive products and services for individuals as well as businesses.

Publicly listed company

For contact details, please see: 4.11 Tonga Additional Service Provision Contact List

Bank of the South Pacific (BSP)

Offers Premium Banking Services Centres in all major towns in Papua New Guinea, Fiji and Solomon Islands. Publicly listed company.

Clearing and Forwarding Agents

There are numerous customs clearing and freight forwarding agents in the capital operating to international standards.

Handling Equipment

There are many forklifts and other items of handling equipment operating in the port region ranging from 2 - 30 mt capacity. Individuals or small operators generally own these. They will be made available in case of emergency under government edict if necessary, however historically such items are readily volunteered in emergency situations.

NEMO is currently taking delivery of 2 new forklifts and sundry other handling equipment for immediate disaster relief work.

Postal and Courier Services

Tonga Post is Government owned and provides mail and courier services to all the islands. International courier services FedEx and DHL are also present offering international services.

Printing and Publishing 

There are printing and copying services available to international standards in the capital Nuku’alofa.

Taxi Companies

Taxi services are available in major towns. They are unmetered but generally reliable and safe to travel in. You should ensure driver actually knows location of required destination before embarking.

Vehicle Rental

There are international and local rental companies available. There is reasonable supply, standard and variety of vehicle options. A company should be able to satisfy its immediate vehicle requirements on arrival in Tonga.

Waste Management and Disposal Services

Waste Authority Limited (WAL) controls solid waste collection and disposal. This includes responsibility for the disposal of sewage sludge at the Tapuhia landfill facility on Tongatapu. WAL provides waste collection services covering all of Tongatapu, but on other islands, formal arrangements for solid waste collection are not in place. Likewise, formal arrangements for sanitary disposal of solid waste are not in place on other islands, except for Vava’u. WAL is progressively improving its performance but continues to require financial support from Government as it has a growing maintenance backlog. In addition there are problems with the design of WAL’s existing equipment and facilities, and the illegal dumping of waste is an emerging issue.

On other outer islands, formal arrangements for solid waste disposal do not exist.

There is a basic recycling program in place focussed on aluminium cans.

WASTE DISPOSAL-NON-HAZARDOUS

See above

WASTE DISPOSAL-HAZARDOUS

Oil and fuel waste has been collected and used by Tonga Power Limited to generate electricity

Quantities of waste including electronics, oil and fuels are still disposed of in an unregulated manner to unmonitored landfills.

Black and grey water is carried to WAL’s treatment facility were it is filtered and chemically treated to ‘neutralize’ pathogens and then run to ground. Solid waste goes to landfill.

Disclaimer: Inclusion of company information in the LCA does not imply any business relationship between the supplier and WFP / Logistics Cluster, and is used solely as a determinant of services, and capacities.

Please note: WFP / Logistics Cluster maintain complete impartiality and are not in a position to endorse, comment on any company's suitability as a reputable service provider.