Community Halls in Tonga CompletedBuilt with donations from Tonga Emergency Relief Fund

The gigantic eruption of the underwater volcano Hunga Tonga-Hunga-Haʻapai on January 15, 2022, caused major damage in the Kingdom of Tonga. In response, The Nippon Foundation has used the many donations received to support the construction of a community hall in each of three areas designated as resettlement zones for people whose homes were damaged. These halls will be important facilities for supporting the rebuilding of the lives of residents who experienced particularly major flood damage.

The rebuilding project was carried out to meet the needs of local residents, with the cooperation of many parties including the prime minister of Tonga, the crown prince, the construction ministry, local builders, and residents whose homes and businesses were damaged. A ceremony for the handover of two of the community halls, attended by the prime minister and local residents, was held on June 17, 2024. At that ceremony, thanks were expressed on behalf of the people of Tonga for the country’s long history of good relations with Japan and for its support for reconstruction from the disaster. A ceremony to mark the handover of the third community hall was held on November 18.

The Nippon Foundation has also provided 18 small fishing boats and 12 ferryboats to support the restoration of the fishing industry, which provides livelihoods to many people in the island nation of Tonga. This support is expected to promote further the maintenance and rebuilding of the lives of local residents.

The Foundation hopes that these community halls, which were rebuilt with donations from Japan, will be widely used for cultural and recreational activities, as important centers for strengthening community ties.

The Nippon Foundation will continue to work to build even closer, friendly relations between Tonga and Japan.