_________________________________________________________________________________________

For further enquires please contact: The Embassy of Japan in Tonga.

Level 5, National Reserve Bank of Tonga Building / Telephone: 22-221 / Fax 27-025

Embassy of Japan

Tonga

PRESS RELEASE

NGPA/2019/01

May 13, 2019

Japan’s Non-Project Grant Aid Handover to Ministry of Health

“Enhancing people’s preparedness against disasters”

The Government of Japan handed over disaster reduction equipment to Tonga’s Ministry of Health

on Monday, 13 May 2019 through the Non-Project Grant Aid, NPGA. H.E Mr. Tetsuya Ishii,

Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of Japan to Tonga handed over the equipment to

Hon. Dr. Saia Ma’u Piukala, Minister for Health.

Attended the handover ceremony held at the Vaiola Hospital Multipurpose Hall were, Reverend

Visa Taufu’i, Dr. Yutaro Setoya, WHO Country Liaison Officer, Dr. Siale ‘Akau’ola, CEO of the

Ministry of Health and Heads of Vaiola Hospital divisions.

H.E Mr. Tetsuya Ishii mentioned in his remarks the Enthronement of the Emperor of Japan and the

name of its new Era, "Reiwa" and emphasized that the key objective of Japan’s NPGA is to

strengthen capability against diverse social and economic challenges. “I am grateful to hand over

the equipment to help the Ministry of Health enhance people’s preparedness and provide improved

emergency services to everyone,” he said.

The handover equipment is the third batch of Japan’s $6 million pa’anga NPGA for disaster

reduction equipment formalized for the Kingdom of Tonga, in March 2015. The third batch consists

of the each equipment for the Ministry of Health, NEMO and Tonga Broadcasting Commission. The

equipment today contained 7 first aid kits (each content equivalent for 50 people), 5 tents, 13 mobile

toilets with portables tents.

Hon. Saia Piukala congratulated the Accession of the Emperor of Japan and mentioned that the 3rd

visit of HM Emperor Naruhito in 2015 accompanied by HM Empress Masako for the Royal

Coronation of His Majesty, King Tupou VI, was the most impressive for him. He also thanked the

Ambassador for the continuous NPGA donation received by the Ministry of Health. He assured that

the equipment would strengthen response of the Ministry to disasters, and significantly improve

health of the people of Tonga. The Ministry of Health have benefitted from NPGA donation in 2016

and 2018 with equipment valued over millions of pa’anga.

Japan’s NPGA was introduced as a form of commodity aid to promote economic and social

development of recipient countries. The NPGA will also support Tonga’s effort to meets its Strategic

Development Framework and contribute to the betterment of the welfare of the people of the

Kingdom of Tonga.

END.

Attached; photos

_________________________________________________________________________________________

For further enquires please contact: The Embassy of Japan in Tonga.

Level 5, National Reserve Bank of Tonga Building / Telephone: 22-221 / Fax 27-025

Photos;

H.E Mr. Tetsuya Ishii and Hon. Saia Ma’u Piukala, Minister for Health showing the first aid kit equipment donated

through Japan’s NPGA on Monday, 13 May 2019.

Sample display of the third batch of Japan’s NPGA disaster reduction equipment donated to

Tonga’s Ministry of Health.

_________________________________________________________________________________________

For further enquires please contact: The Embassy of Japan in Tonga.

Level 5, National Reserve Bank of Tonga Building / Telephone: 22-221 / Fax 27-025

The Keynote Address by H.E Mr. Tetsuya Ishii at the handover ceremony.

Hon. Saia Piulaka and H.E Tetsuya Ishii with the tents and portable tents included in the NPGA donation.

_________________________________________________________________________________________

For further enquires please contact: The Embassy of Japan in Tonga.

Level 5, National Reserve Bank of Tonga Building / Telephone: 22-221 / Fax 27-025

Hon. Saia Piukala, Minister for Health with the Vote of Thanks.

The NPGA handover of disaster reduction equipment for Tonga’s Ministry of Health, 13 May 2019.