Tonga 93407 THE WORLD BANK Post-Tsunami Reconstruction Project Restoring the livelihoods of Tonga’s Niuatoputapu community. Construct cyclone-resistant homes for vulnerable populations. Background Niuatoputapu is one of the two inhabited islands in Tonga’s Niua group, located in the northern -most part of Increase the Niuatoputapu community’s resilience to future Tonga. The total population of about 1,100 lives in four villages, Hihifo, Vaipoa, Falehau and Tafahi Island. disasters. The island is remote and relatively isolated from the rest of Tonga. It is estimated that income levels in Niuatoputapu are among the lowest in Tonga. On September 30 2009, the Niua islands were struck by an Provide rainwater harvesting earthquake of 8.3 magnitude whose epicentre was 190km to the north east. This was quickly followed by systems to lessen demand on the three tsunami waves with a maximum flow height of 16.9 metres and penetration of over 1km inland. As island’s limited fresh water much as 46 percent of the island was inundated resulting in the deaths of nine people and damages supply. estimated at about US$10 million. Of a total of about 255 private houses on the island, 85 were totally destroyed and 56 partially damaged by the tsunami. Most of the public utilities and government buildings were completely destroyed, along with the water and sanitation system. Earthquakes and earthquake- incurred tsunamis remain potential threats in the coming years. About the Project Location: The project will The Post-Tsunami Reconstruction Project will revive the living standards of the population affected by the support tsunami-affected tsunami through the reconstruction of residential houses. Newly relocated communities are still vulnerable communities on the island of as they seek to rebuild in the 2010 cyclone season and as such the reconstruction and rehabilitation of houses Niuatoputapu. is a high priority. These cyclone-resistant houses will reduce the communities' vulnerability not only to tsunamis but also to future climatic hazards such as storm surges and heavy rainfall. Rainwater harvesting Approval Date: 19 October 2010 features on the house will also support resilience to drought and lessen the demand on the limited island water source, increasing its sustainability. The project consists of four components: Closing Date: 31 March 2013 Cyclone-Resistant Housing Construction Total Project Cost: US$5 million The construction and supervision of 85 units of low-cost cyclone-resistant housing in Niuatoputapu to replace completely damaged houses, as well as associated consulting assignments and ancillary works (water and Donors: World Bank sanitation). These housing units will be built on land specifically allocated by the government for this (International Development purpose. The new residential houses will be built to cyclone category four standards and located on higher Association)—US$5 million ground in areas close to original sites following close community consultation. Implementing Agency: Ministry Retrofitting of partially damaged housing and buildings of Finance and National Financing of construction materials and small works for the upgrading of about 60 partially damaged houses, Planning; Ministry of Works; small enterprises buildings and community halls. Ministry of Lands, Survey and Natural Resources Strengthening of Disaster Risk Management Providing equipment for hazard and risk information assessment and institutional strengthening for the Contact: World Bank Ministry of Land Survey and Natural Resources. This will also involve financing the preparation of community Task Team leader disaster risk management plans in Niuatoputapu. Demetrios Papathanasiou Project Management Senior Infrastructure Specialist This component will finance the Project Management Unit, which will carry out management and dpapathanasiou@worldbank.org coordination of project activities, financial management and accounting, procurement, monitoring and reporting. www.worldbank.org/pi