Starting Strong in Tonga: Boosting Emergency Response in the Pacific

In May 2025, the Emergency Telecommunications Cluster (ETC) in the Pacific, led by the World Food Programme (WFP), kicked off a series of intensive, week-long training sessions aimed at strengthening national disaster response capabilities across the region.
With proud support from France, this initiative is helping Pacific nations stay better connected and prepared when emergencies strike. The first stop is Tonga, where participants gathered from 9 to 13 June to enhance their skills in emergency telecommunications — a critical component of disaster response.
Following Tonga, the ETC Pacific team will head to Samoa from 16 to 20 June and the Solomon Islands from 30 June to 4 July. These trainings are designed to build local expertise, ensuring that governments can coordinate quickly and effectively during crises.
By investing in preparedness today, the ETC is helping create a more resilient Pacific for tomorrow.