NUKU’ALOFA — Emergency drinking water continues to reach communities across the Lulunga island group as the National Disaster Risk Management Office (NDRMO), supported by His Majesty’s Armed Forces (HMAF), intensifies its response to a prolonged water shortage affecting the remote islands.
The emergency response began on 31 July after the NDRMO Water Response Team arrived safely at Ha’afeva aboard the HMAF patrol vessel VOEA Late, immediately launching operations to restore access to safe drinking water.
A key priority has been the Ha’afeva Health Centre, where a desalination unit was installed to produce clean drinking water after the facility’s rainwater storage tanks were destroyed by a recent tornado. The health centre remains at the centre of the response, with desalination operations continuing to ensure it can maintain essential medical services for the local community.
At the same time, emergency teams travelled to Tungua, where approximately 4,000 litres of drinking water were transferred from VOEA Late into a 5,000-litre community storage tank established as a central distribution point. Twenty-one households received emergency water supplies, with each family provided 40 litres of drinking water.
Response teams also carried out rapid household assessments to identify priority needs and ensure assistance reaches the most vulnerable residents. As a public health precaution, all communities receiving emergency water were advised to boil the water before drinking.
On the second day of operations, emergency teams expanded their response by completing rapid water assessments in ‘Ou’a, Matuku and Ha’afeva while continuing water deliveries throughout the Lulunga island group.
Although low tidal conditions created logistical challenges and temporarily affected water production at the Ha’afeva Health Centre, response teams continued efforts to replenish the facility’s water reserves to support ongoing healthcare services.
The NDRMO acknowledged the strong support of His Majesty’s Armed Forces, particularly the officers and crew of VOEA Late, for transporting personnel, emergency equipment and water supplies to the affected islands. Appreciation was also extended to the District Officer, Town Officers and the communities of Ha’afeva, Tungua, ‘Ou’a and Matuku for their cooperation throughout the emergency operation.
The NDRMO said it will continue working alongside partner agencies and local communities until the immediate water needs of all affected islands in the Lulunga group have been met, as efforts continue to restore reliable access to safe drinking water.
