Building Resilient Communities Through Meaningful Partnership

17 Dec Building Resilient Communities Through Meaningful Partnership

December 21, 2024 – Communities across Tonga are on the frontlines of climate change, natural disasters, and growing development pressures. Responding to these challenges, the Tonga Australia Resilient Communities Program (TARCP) is supporting villages to strengthen their resilience through a long-term partnership between the Australian Government and MORDI Tonga Trust.

The program is built on a simple but powerful principle: communities know their needs best. Through inclusive, village-led planning processes, communities identify and prioritize projects that will strengthen their ability to prepare for, withstand, and recover from shocks. These include climate-resilient infrastructure such as water systems, sanitation facilities, and safe community spaces that directly improve daily living conditions.

MORDI Tonga plays a central role in facilitating this work—supporting communities to plan, manage, and implement projects in ways that are locally appropriate, inclusive, and sustainable. Particular emphasis is placed on ensuring the participation of women, youth, and people with disabilities, so development benefits are shared equitably.

Beyond infrastructure, the program invests in local leadership and governance, helping communities build the skills and confidence needed to manage their own development into the future. This approach not only delivers tangible assets but also strengthens social cohesion and long-term resilience.

The Tonga Australia Resilient Communities Program reflects the strength of the Tonga–Australia partnership and a shared commitment to climate resilience and inclusive development. By working from the ground up, the program is helping communities across Tonga build safer, stronger, and more resilient futures—today and for generations to come.