Tonga Humanitarian Background

For information on Tonga Humanitarian and Government contact details please see the following links: 

4.1 Tonga Government Contact List

4.2 Tonga Humanitarian Agency Contact List

Disasters, Conflicts and Migration

For more detailed database on disasters by country, please see the Centre for Research on Epidemiology of Disasters:

EMDAT Website information for Tonga

Calamities and Seasonal Affects

Capacity and Contacts for In-Country Emergency Response

Government

National Disaster Management Policy

The policy adopted by the Tonga Government is as follows:

• To recognize the problem associated with disasters as being part of total Government responsibility and to make the best possible arrangements to deal with them given available resources.
• To recognize the disaster management phases of mitigation, preparedness, response and recovery as essential components for effective national development planning
• To encourage traditional self-help concept within the community through education and awareness programmes.

State of Emergency

No disaster legislation has been prepared for Tonga, however the Minister may recommend to the Prime Minister to declare a State of Emergency when he determines that actions for the protection of life and property, and the relief of distress and suffering are necessary. A State of Emergency will be for a stated period of time, but shall not exceed 14 days. It can be extended only with the consent of Cabinet, with the declaration and/or extension to be gazetted at the earliest opportunity.

The Tonga Defence Force (TDF) is available and able to assist in a state of emergency. It has limited resources (3 patrol boats and landing craft) Tonga has an agreement to share "disaster response knowledge" with the United States Nevada National Guard.

There is no Civil Defence organisation as such. The National Emergency Management Committee (NMEC) are responsible for policy relating to disaster response. I case of an emergency response, coordination is the responsibility of the National Emergency Management Office (NEMO). The Minister for MEIDECC chairs both. i.e. Ministry for Meteorology, Energy, Information, Disaster Management, Environment, Climate Change and Communication he is also the Deputy Prime Minister.

Humanitarian Community

 Key agencies:

- Tonga Red Cross

- OXFAM         

- CARITAS

These three agencies are the key actors in Tonga. They work together with local partners, Government agencies and coordinate with other NGO’s for special or one-off projects (e.g Habitat for Humanity)

For information on Tonga Humanitarian and Government contact details please see the following links: 

4.1 Tonga Government Contact List

4.2 Tonga Humanitarian Agency Contact List

For information on Tonga Humanitarian background additional details, please see the following documents

Tonga Disaster Response Plan and Emergency Procedures

Tonga Humanitarian Additional Information

Tonga Disaster Stats

Tonga Disaster Stats 2

Tonga Disaster Stats 3

Tonga Government Structure

Tonga Risk Profile

The Tongan Government structure has single desk Ministries and Ministries with multiple portfolios Ministries. In case the portfolios are grouped, each has its own CEO who answers to the 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 

• 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 regards to controlling internet access. 

Ministry of Revenue and Customs 

• Responsible for tax revenus 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 ageements; 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
  • Ensuring that roads are designed, constructed and maintenance to a recognized standard  and specifications that have been approved and adopted by Mol, at all times.

The Marine and Ports Division responsibilities include:

1. Maritime Safety and Security Unit

2. Maritime Environment Unit

3. Outer Island Ports Unit

4. Administration Support Unit

 Civil Engineering Division (CED) provides systems of rules regulation, polices 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 (MOTEYS) Ministry of Training Employment, Youth and Sports 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 Tonga Government Contact List

4.3 Laboratory and Quality Testing Company Contact List 

Duties and Tax Exemption

For contact information regarding government custom authorities, please follow the link below: 

4.2.1 Tonga Government Contact List

Emergency Response

For Customs clearance of relief consignments, Customs regulations (Regulation 136, Customs and Excise Management Regulations 2008) allow for simplified and facilitated Customs procedures and declarations in the case of relief consignments.

Furthermore, relief consignments received as gifts by an organization approved by the Minister for use by or under the control of that organization or for distribution free of charge by the organization or under their control shall be admitted free of all duties, excise taxes and charges.

Regular Regime (Non-Emergency Response)

Once an official request for international assistance has been submitted, the Director of Customs and Quarantine are to make the necessary arrangements for the on-going clearance of all donor assistance that is provided for “disaster relief purposes”.

This may include duty exemption for goods that are purchased locally with disaster relief funding.

The CCG is responsible for providing information on donor assistance to Customs and Quarantine to facilitate this process. This includes details on type, quantity, source, means of transportation, arrival point and estimated time of arrival. As for normal Customs and Quarantine situations, disaster relief operations should not in themselves cause a breakdown in established security and/or immigration regulations

Exemption Certificate Application Procedure

Exemption Certificate Document Requirements

All document requirements in the below table apply to both UN agencies and NGO’s

NOTE: Although it specifies ‘originals’ of all documents are required, customs will accept copies for clearance of aid commodities provided the originals are supplied at a later date.

Customs Clearance

General Information 

Customs Clearance Document Requirements

Transit Regime

PICs governments are used to assisting each others and will not hesitate facilitating transit or export of relief goods and shipments. Goods intended for transit or transhipment in Tonga must be given prior approval from Customs. An application for transit or transhipment must be made to Customs in the approved form (Form C10 - Customs Transhipment).

Customs may take all necessary steps to ensure that the consignment is easily identified and to enable detection of any unauthorized interference. Such steps may include the setting of specific time limits for the transit or transshipment operation to take place.

Tonga Port Assessment

There are three main ports in Tonga: Neiafu, Nuku’alofa and Pangai. Nuku’alofa is the central hub for transport in Tonga and international import and export cargo shipping.  It is also the entry point for international cruise ships. Nuku’alofa Port complies with relevant international and IMO operating requirements.

The existing ports have sufficient capacity for foreseeable needs. 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 GoT’s National Infrastructure and Investment Plan (NIIP).

Tonga Aviation 

Procedures for Foreign Registered Aircraft

Documentary Requirements for Clearance of Aircraft

Content and format of documentary requirements for clearance of aircraft is as follows:

(a) General Declaration — as described in Annex 9 to the convention on International Civil Aviation.

(b) Passenger Manifest — as described in Annex 9 to the convention on International Civil Aviation.

(c) Cargo Manifest — as described in Annex 9 to the convention on International Civil Aviation.

ICAO Annex 9 to the Convention on International Civil Aviation  can be downloaded from the following link:

https://www.bazl.admin.ch/dam/bazl/it/dokumente/Fachleute/Regulationen_und_Grundlagen/111/icao_annex_9_facilitation.pdf.download.pdf/icao_annex_9_facilitation.pdf

All documents are to be submitted to Customs as soon as practicable

 One copy of the General Declaration is endorsed and returned by Customs, signifying clearance.

If no passengers are embarking (disembarking) and no articles are laden, no aircraft documents except copies of the General Declaration need be submitted to the appropriate Customs authorities.

All passengers, mail, cargo and crew of any overseas aircraft shall be subject mutatis mutandis to all applicable general or special local regulations dealing with the entry, transit and departure of persons, introduction, transit or exportation of goods, quarantine and health measures, immigration, passports, visas and travel documents.

The pilot of an aircraft on an unscheduled flight who intends to use a Tonga airport for landing shall request such permission at least 24 hours prior to departure.

The request shall be lodged and received by Tonga Airports Limited during the official working hours as specified in page NFTF AD 2 - 2:

(a) Name and address of the aircraft operator

(b) Type and registration marks of the aircraft

(c) Name, address and business of charterer

(d) Proposed date and place of origin of flight

(e) Routes including dates and times of arrival and departure

(f) Number of passengers and/or nature and amount of freight

(g) Purpose of flight

Prior approval for the flight must be obtained. However, no such permission is required for flights that fall into the following category:

• Flights by civil aircraft that have the nationality of an ICAO Contracting State, provided that the requirements of the ICAO Convention on International Civil Aviation are complied with.
• All flights by foreign state aircraft as defined by the Convention will require diplomatic clearance from the Tonga Foreign Affairs. Requests for such clearance should be submitted through the normal diplomatic channels, giving a minimum of seven full working days’ notice. 

Further information regarding Pacific Aviation can be obtained from the following link:  http://secureorders.airways.co.nz/aimsite/pacific/index.asp

Tonga Road Network

There are 680 km of highways in Tonga, of which 184 km are paved,

Tonga has an extensive network of roads and one of the highest levels of road network density in the region. 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.

GoT is addressing this problem through several roads rehabilitation and upgrading programs in association 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 GoT will continue this emphasis on road maintenance and rehabilitation.  

There is a major bottleneck to evacuate people from Nuku’alofa’s lowlying 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 information on Tonga Road Network contact details, please see the following link: 

4.1 Tonga Government Contact List

Distance Matrix (km)

Travel Time Matrix (min.)

Road Security

There have been a number of driving fatalities in 2016 due to speeding, alcohol and drug 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 few regulations in place in Tonga. No axle load limits exist yet. This being said, 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) 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 number of the Kingdom’s 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 number of smaller, private operators transporting small cargo and providing water taxi and charter services.

Services are weather effected and may be cancelled due to windy / rough water conditions, particularly during the cyclone season (November – April).

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.

Company Information

The one domestic shipping company operating is the government owned Friendly Islands Shipping Agency

There appears to be adequate cargo and passenger capacity at present and 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 that sank in 2009 with the loss of 74 persons. Despite Tongan Ministry of Transport surveyor’s claims they considered the vessel to be totally unseaworthy, they failed to stop operations of the vessel

For information on Tonga Waterways contact details, please see the following links:

4.4 Tonga Port and Waterways Company Contact List

4.1 Tonga Government Contact List

Travel Time Matrix 

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

Key Routes 

NOTE: THIS TABLE RELATES TO RIVER TRANSPORT AND IS NOT RELEVANT TO THE TONGA LCA. THERE IS NO TRANSPORT BY RIVER WATERWAYS

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

There are 2 major companies marketing and supplying fuel in Tonga, Total and Pacific Energy SWP Limited (PE SWP). Total is 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 and Pacific Energy have terminal facilities 0.5 n.m. east of Queen Salote Wharf. Currently, tankers discharge just outside the reef directly offshore from the terminals using a Mediterranean mooring system, 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’s storage capacity is 1,155,670 litres. BP 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 on much smaller vessels (Local Coastal Tankers - LCT) for shipping to Tonga.  Whilst supply of fuel has generally been consistant, 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.

Fuel Storage

Total and Pacific Energy operate a 30 day reserve.

BP (Pacific Energy SWP Limited) storage capacity:

Total’s fuel storage capacity:

The largest single consumer of petroleum fuel is Tonga Power which uses diesel for electricity generation. Total has the contract to supply this. As a resul, diesel is the most significant product supplied to the market. Jet fuel/kerosene is only supplied to Tongatapu. The typical splits between grades are as follows (total Tongan demand):

The energy sector has been identified as one of the infrastructure sectors at greatest risk from the impacts of climate change and natural disasters In the longer term, particularly because of its reliance on diesel fuel, consideration will have to be given to initiatives to reduce this vulnerability, for instance by moving bulk fuel storage facilities on Tongatapu to a new location outside of the tsunami and storm surge risk zone

For information on Tonga fuel provider contact details, please see the following links: 

4.7 Tonga Fuel Provider Contact List

4.1 Tonga Government Contact List

Information may also be found at: http://www.mytravelcost.com/petrol-prices/ which is updated monthly. 

Fuel Pricing

The cost of petroleum fuel in Tonga is made up of four main components; the cost of the fuel on the international market, the cost of the supply route to get it to Tonga, supplying companies operating costs and recovery on their investment and taxes and levies applied by Authorities and the Government of Tonga. 

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%)

Seasonal Variations 

There are no seasonal variations. Price is Government controlled.

Fuel Transportation

Internal transportation of fuel products is carried out by trucks:

-Total:

2 tankers on Togatapu with total carrying capicity of 45,000 L

1 tanker x 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

1 tanker 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 Togatapu to Ha’apai and Vava’u. Other fuel tot the outer islands is transported by drum or IBC (1,500 L).

The transportation infrastructure and fleet is sufficient to handle current domestic needs as welll 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

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 Togatapu Islands, 2 Private land transport companies can be found at the port and during emergencies, governmental agencies transport capacities (mainly from Transport and Works departments) as well as the ones from TDS, 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, Vau’a 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 Tonga Transporter Contact List

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.

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 in order to establish working conditions and discuss salaries.

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

In times of need (as a result of natural disasters), the military provides the bulk of manual labour. 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.

Overview

Mobile phone and internet services are available throughout the country, including smaller and more remote communities. As of 2015, there are approximately 13,000 fixed line phones connections, approximately 70,000 mobile phone subscribers, and approximately 2100 fixed broadband internet connections in Tonga. The number of fixed phone connections are decreasing, whilst mobile phone connections have been experiencing steady growth. There is competition in the telecommunications sector.

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.

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 two telecommunications network operators in Tonga, namely, Digicel and TCC. 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 August 2016, Digicel Tonga announced that it will soon launch microwave connectivity to Tonga’s outer islands. This will increase internet speed from 1Mbps to 5Mbps with 200Mbps capacity, which is 5 times faster than the current speed on the outer islands and match data experience on Tonga’s main island of Tongatapu.

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: 4.2.8 Tonga Additional Service Provision 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.

Existing Humanitarian Telecoms Systems

Various telecommunications systems are in place in Tonga, including a VHF and HF radio network that is used by the NEMO 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 NEMO). 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 NEMO and Met Services). The Tonga Red Cross have satellite phones at various locations.

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 two mobile network operators – TCC (U-Call) and Digicel Tonga. Both 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.

The majority of the population engages in some form of subsistence production of food, with approximately half producing almost all of their basic food needs through farming, sea harvesting, and animal husbandry. Farmers join together in cooperatives to supply bulk produce for the export market. Tonga exported $17.3 mil (2014) . 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 (2014) Poultry accounted for 5% ($12 mil) , Other Foodstuffs accounted for 11% ($30 mil). Of ‘Other Foodstuffs ‘ pasta (13%) 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): INSERT a link directly to the OEC country page if available (http://atlas.media.mit.edu/en/profile/country/ton/)

For information on Tonga food supplies, accommodation and other markets contact details, please see the following link: 

4.11 Tonga Additional Service Provision Contact List

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.