NUKU’ALOFA — Tonga has reinforced its commitment to disaster preparedness and regional cooperation after senior officials from the National Disaster Risk Management Office (NDRMO) represented the Kingdom at the 2026 Disaster and Emergency Management Conference (DEMC) on Australia’s Gold Coast.
Held from 27–28 July, the conference brought together disaster management leaders and emergency response experts from across the Pacific and beyond to exchange knowledge, strengthen partnerships, and improve disaster response capabilities.
Leading the Tonga delegation was NDRMO Director Mafua-‘I-Vai’utukakau Maka, who served as a panelist during an Australia Assists session titled “National Disaster Management in the Pacific: Leadership Across Large Ocean States.”
During the discussion, Mr. Maka highlighted the importance of involving international development partners in Tonga’s national disaster simulation exercises. He said these exercises help partners understand Tonga’s emergency management systems, coordination arrangements, and the roles of responding agencies, enabling them to integrate quickly and effectively into national response efforts when disasters strike.
The delegation also undertook study visits to the Gold Coast Disaster & Emergency Centre and the Brisbane Humanitarian Warehouse, where they gained first-hand experience of emergency operations, logistics management, coordination systems, and humanitarian preparedness.
The visit to the Brisbane Humanitarian Warehouse was particularly significant as Tonga continues to expand its own humanitarian warehousing network. A warehouse is already operational in Tongatapu, while additional facilities are planned for Ha’apai and Vava’u. The visit provided valuable insights into warehouse operations, inventory management, and emergency logistics that will help strengthen Tonga’s disaster response capacity.
The NDRMO acknowledged the support of Australia Assists and the Pacific Community (SPC), whose funding enabled the Tonga delegation to participate in the conference.
Representing Tonga were NDRMO Director Mafua-‘I-Vai’utukakau Maka, Deputy Director ‘Aisea Vaituilua Fungavai, and National Inter-Cluster Coordinator Viliami Tongamana.
The conference forms part of Tonga’s ongoing efforts to strengthen national resilience through closer collaboration with regional and international partners, ensuring the Kingdom is better prepared to respond to future disasters and protect the safety and well-being of its people.
