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Tonga

Reconstruction Progress-March

23 April 2015 The Governor of Ha’apai, Hon Mo’ale Finau was the guest of honour in the handing over ceremony of six (6) completed two-room cyclone houses on Saturday 7th of March, 2015 at ‘Uiha, Ha’apai.

These houses (A1component) are for the six (6) beneficiaries- most vulnerable households from ‘Uiha and Felemea (‘Uiha District) whose houses were fully destroyed as a result of Tropical Cyclone Ian. It was an emotional, moving and joyful occasion as the beneficiaries received the completion certificates and keys to their houses. The families celebrated and prepared a feast to show and expressed their gratefulness to the Government for the assistance.

Also, attending the ceremony were Ms. Megan Schlotjes and Mr. David O’Meara from the World Bank who were on a Supervision mission to review the progress of the reconstruction activities under the project.

In addition, a one room cyclone house in Fangale’ounga for (A2A component) was handed over as well to the family who was in the non-vulnerable group whose house was fully destroyed during the cyclone. Moreover, on the last week of March, two (2) more two room houses (A1 component) were handed over to the beneficiaries in ‘Uiha. It was great to see the smiles on the people‘s face as they received their new houses.

The project team is anticipating more great news next month as more than twenty (20) one-room cyclone houses and eight (8) two-room cyclone houses will be expected to complete and handed over to the families next month.

The project team also hereby inform the public that repair & retrofitting works on the houses and community buildings in eighteen (18) communities will commence next month.