Tonga damaged by volcanic eruption Policy for recovery plan while receiving support from Japan

In Tonga, an island nation in the South Pacific that suffered great damage from the eruption of a large-scale submarine volcano in January this year, the government announced a recovery plan policy, and it was confirmed that infrastructure development would proceed with assistance from Japan. I was.

In Tonga, a submarine volcano erupted in January this year, causing a tsunami of up to 15 meters in height, which destroyed many buildings, damaged submarine cables, making it difficult to make phone and internet communications, and volcanic ash. There was damage such as drinking water being affected.

Under these circumstances, the Tongan government, with the support of JICA = Japan International Cooperation Agency, compiled a policy for future reconstruction plans and announced it at an online seminar on the 17th.

According to this, we will move houses from areas that are prone to tsunami damage, and will develop tsunami evacuation towers near hotels along the coast.

At the seminar, a JICA official who supports the Tongan government on the ground pointed out that it is particularly important to improve buildings in urban areas and improve transportation and communication infrastructure in remote islands.

The Tongan government will reflect these policies in its national plans, and will proceed with infrastructure development, etc. with assistance from Japan.

Minister of Infrastructure "Through Japan's assistance, further growth of the country"

Regarding the current situation in Tonga, seven months after the eruption of a submarine volcano, Tonga's Infrastructure Minister Tomoua said in an NHK interview, "About 85% of the debris caused by the tsunami has been removed." Volcanic ash has been cleared and the building is being rebuilt.

In addition, telephone and Internet communications, which were affected by the damage to submarine cables by the tsunami, have been restored, and people's lives are returning to the situation before the disaster.

Then, regarding the support from Japan, he said, "Both Tonga and Japan are countries with many tsunamis and earthquakes, but Japan has disaster prevention technology. Through Japan's support, I hope that it will lead not only to early recovery but also to further growth of the country." .

Tonga has eased immigration restrictions to prevent the spread of the new coronavirus from this month, and flights from abroad are gradually resuming. It's important," and expressed hope that the economy will recover due to an increase in foreign tourists.