About the Project

While Tonga is gradually recovering from the aftermath of HTHH natural disaster on 15th January 2022, climate threats continued to increase the risks and vulnerability of local communities, in the following ways: (i). food security is severely threatened which manifested through low level of productivity in some traditional crops and fruit trees, food shortages and prize hiking in the local market; (ii). water security is also severely threatened whereby groundwater is contaminated by sea level rise and decreased rainfall, leads to many household water tanks either emptied or storing low level of contaminated water; and (iii). Ecosystems are being threatened by tropical cyclones which results in coral reefs, forests or plantations being destroyed and the recovery of these takes a long time.

The project will work with vulnerable households to set up their own home organic gardens. This will ensure that they are not affected by food shortages or increased cost of crops in the local market and reduce dependence on imported unhealthy and costly food items.

Outcomes

Participating households and communities are more resilient and better prepared for natural disasters and climate change impacts through improved awareness. They plant climate resilient vegetables, crops and fruit trees which helps them secure food and save money. TCDT has also built much stronger partnerships with relevant government agencies.

Location

• Conduct participatory community workshops to increase participant's awareness about climate change and disaster risk and how they can improve their coping mechanisms, adapt and build their resilience;

• Support setting up household's organic gardens to provide vegetables and nutrients for the family's diet and save money from buying these items from the local markets;

• Distribute and encourage planting of fruit trees to improve medium to longer term food security;

• Conduct monthly television and radio programs, highlighting processes and results from the project to improve the awareness of the wider community.