Early Warning for All and Anticipatory Action Workshop 17-19 July 2024 Nuku’alofa, Tonga Report

Overview

Tonga’s National Early Warning for All and Anticipatory Action sensitization workshop was held in Nuku’alofa from 17 – 19 July 2024. The workshop was attended by over 50 participants, comprising of government and non-government agencies, national clusters members, NGOs and UN agencies. The workshop aimed at enhancing Tonga’s multi-hazard early warning systems (MHEWS) through stocktake of key gaps and priorities, identify existing expertise, knowledge and resources to leverage EWS efforts. The workshop resulted in a draft roadmap to support the implementation of Tonga’s MHEWS Policy, which was adopted earlier this year, as well as invited feedback to the TOR of the MHEWS Technical Working Group who will oversee the implementation of the roadmap.

Furthermore, the two-day Anticipatory Action (AA) workshop linked the AA concept to early warning and disaster risk management (DRM) structures of Tonga and provided participants with opportunity to discuss potential pre-agreed actions and pre-arranged financing for effective response. The advancement of AA for Tonga was also included in the terms of reference and workplan for the newly established Tonga MHEWS technical working group. Tonga is already advancing many components critical for AA, including forecasting and observation, strengthening community-based DRM approaches and the enabling governance foundation provided for by the DRM Act (2021), Meteorological Act (2017), social protection mechanisms and strong capacities in Public Financial Management. Tonga also developed a disaster risk financing strategy that will provide a solid foundation for the rollout of AA initiatives at the country level. By strengthening MHEWS and incorporating AA into existing DRM structure, the government will ensure timely and effective response to forecasted hazards.