Tonga Broadcasting Commission now has a Climate and Disaster Resilience Plan

As part of the National Broadcasters Climate and Disaster Resilience Plan project, the Tonga Broadcast Commission (TBC) was able to complete their Climate and Disaster Resilience plan in August.

The National Broadcasters Climate and Disaster Resilience Plan project is supported by the Pacific Media Assistance Scheme (PACMAS) which is funded by the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade of the Government of Australia.

Senior staff from TBC gathered together with the Secretariat of the Pacific Regional Environment Programme (SPREP) to hear presentations from the National Emergency Management Office and the Tongan Meteorological Service which helped them better understand the terminology used in warnings and bulletins, as well as the role they play during disasters. As the government broadcaster, TBC, via Radio Tonga 1 (AM station), is the only radio station which reaches all islands of Tonga.

"Now the national broadcaster, TBC, has a blueprint as a living document to guide us when we carry out one of our most crucial roles in times of natural disasters, especially when a tropical cyclone or a tsunami occurs," said the Manager of Tonga Broadcasting Commission, Ms Nanise Fifita.

"This is a detailed plan, a very first for TBC, to have it documented indicates our commitment under our public service roles to keep the people better informed and educated during emergencies to save lives and properties – thanks to SPREP and PACMAS."

By the end of the training, the participants had a greater awareness of the importance of a disaster response plan as well as the risks and hazard their studio and offices are exposed to. They were also able to identify the resources they need in order to better respond to disasters, while still being able to keep the community informed.

The National BCDRP project is implemented by the Secretariat of the Pacific Regional Environment Programme (SPREP) in partnership with the Secretariat of Pacific Community (SPC) across eight Pacific island countries, including Cook Islands, Kiribati, Palau, Samoa, Solomon Islands, Tonga, Tuvalu and Vanuatu.