Financial Crime World

Strengthening Institutional Framework and Capacity Building in Tonga

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Nuku’alofa, Tonga - The devastating Hunga Tonga-Hunga Ha’apai eruption and tsunami that struck the Pacific island nation in January 2022 has highlighted the need for strengthening institutional frameworks, capacity building, and modernization of observation infrastructure, data management systems, forecasting, and warning systems to enhance disaster risk reduction and mitigation.

Lessons Learned

  • The disaster has underscored the importance of understanding hazards and risks, including tsunamis generated by volcanic eruptions.
  • Traditional earthquake magnitude-based approaches are insufficient for predicting tsunami waves triggered by eruptions.
  • Scientists have been called upon to integrate findings on shockwaves boosting tsunami waves into hazard modelling.

Early Warning Systems

To improve early warning systems:

  • Enhance the ability to measure the tsunami generation process due to eruptions and deliver pre-impact forecasting at local and regional scales.
  • Require partnerships between services providers and national authorities, as well as staff training on volcanology.

Critical Infrastructure Redundancy

The disaster highlighted the fragility of global undersea cable networks, which can quickly go offline during natural hazards. To mitigate this risk:

  • Governments and telecommunication companies must diversify communication systems, including satellite-based technologies and robust backup facilities.

Strengthening Telecommunication Infrastructure

Tonga’s limited ability to provide rapid alert notifications during emergencies has been identified as a significant gap in the system. A unified messaging system (UMS) could leverage standards such as CAP (Common Alerting Protocol) to improve warning dissemination and coordination.

Risk Communication and Community Preparedness

Effective risk communication is crucial for reducing disaster risk, particularly through:

  • Hazard forecasting and public education campaigns.
  • Increasing uptake of disaster risk information.
  • Awareness programs on natural warning signs.
  • Anticipatory action-related activities.

Rapid Damage Mapping and Pre-Impact Scenarios

The CODATA TG FAIR Data and ChinaGEO supported the Volunteered Disaster Emergency Response Mechanism (VoRDM) in rapid damage mapping for Tonga, facilitating accurate mapping of devastation and smooth humanitarian efforts.

Conclusion

The Hunga Tonga-Hunga Ha’apai eruption and tsunami has provided valuable lessons for disaster risk reduction. Integrated risk management, from hazard identification to risk communication, is essential for preparing for and responding to hazard events. As science advances, warning skills increase, and risk communication becomes more critical for minimizing losses and damage.

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