New partnership to support climate resilient communities across Tonga

The Australian Government is investing $9.5 million in a new partnership to deliver critical, climate resilient infrastructure and activities to communities across the Kingdom of Tonga.

In a new initiative, Australia will partner with Mainstreaming of Rural Development Innovation (MORDI), Tonga’s largest non-government organisation, to work with communities to improve water security, food production and local infrastructure.

MORDI has worked with 122 communities across Tonga to develop robust community development plans that reflect the priorities of villages, including women, youth and persons with disabilities.

Each of the 122 communities will benefit from at least one project funded by Australia over the next five years.Together we will ensure they can plan and manage their future, especially those living in outer islands across Tonga’s island chain.

About 88 per cent of Tonga’s population lives in rural areas and 84 per cent lives within one kilometre of the coast.

This partnership is supporting local leadership and local solutions to climate change, and sharing opportunities across between rural and urban areas.

The biggest security threat we face is climate change and together this initiative will support community resilience to the impacts.