Tonga: Humanitarian Coordination Structure (As of 10 July 2024)

The Disaster Risk Management Act 2021 (Royal Assented 2023) describes the national framework, structures and committees, and functions and responsibilities of those responding to disaster. It also mandates the National Disaster Risk Management Plan which operationalises the legislative framework via disaster risk reduction and emergency management systems and processes. The National Disaster Council is at the strategic level and oversees three national committees: the National Disaster Risk Management Committee, the National Disaster Operation Sub Committee, and the National Disaster Risk Recovery Sub Committee; all chaired by Minister and CEO for the Ministry of Meteorology, Energy, Information, Disaster Management, Environment, Climate Change and Communication (MEIDECC). The National Disaster Risk Management Office serves as a secretariat for emergency committees together with the Act. Tonga endorsed the cluster system in 2015. Its first activation occurred the same year when Tropical Cyclone Ian made landfall in the Ha’apai group.