Local Strength, Global Impact: Tonga's Path to Climate Resilient Infrastructure

In the past five years, Jean Malupo Veilofia, her family, and the ‘Eua Island community in the Kingdom of Tonga have experienced significant highs and lows.

A few years ago, her family’s construction business, ‘Ahononou & Petani Quarry, was thrilled to be awarded a major World Bank contract to make roads climate-resilient around ‘Ohonua village. In the past, these opportunities were won by international contractors, who would fly in and complete the work, then fly out, taking their income and experience with them.

Jean reflects on the shift, “As I was growing up as a local girl here, I've seen … international contractors working major projects like this. But as of now, we've been given the opportunity.”

Local contractors like Jean's business keep the benefits within the community, enhancing resilience. “We're able to spend money here in the community,” she explains, “We also shared what we have: the skills, the finances… hiring local staff members, operators and all that.”

However, challenges soon emerged. The pandemic halted progress, and Jean’s father’s passing in 2021 left her at the company's helm. Despite feeling overwhelmed, she was determined to honor her father’s legacy.

“It's a very big, big opportunity for us on so many levels,” she says, emphasizing the impact on local people. “It's not just an opportunity for me and my family, but also an opportunity for other people involved, especially the locals.”

Jean and her team undertook rebuilding 30 kilometers of ‘Eua’s critical roads and associated drainage works. But, as a young woman in construction, she also faced additional challenges of working in a male-dominated field.

“What makes me really proud right now is working in a male-dominated sector … not just that I'm young, I'm a woman,” she states. “I'm quite proud, you know … I'm proud of my team too, we've come so far…And I know if it wasn't for them, I wouldn't be here.”

Now that Jean has overcome those initial hurdles and has stepped into her leadership role, she is focused on helping her broader community, who are facing serious challenges of their own.  

Tonga is one of the most disaster-prone countries in the world. In recent years, it has experienced even more extreme weather events than usual, which have impacted the nation’s ability to respond and recover.

Natalia Latu, Liaison Officer with World Bank Tonga, explains, “Over the past ten years we've had a Category five cyclone every two to five years. Then we had the volcanic eruption and tsunami last year. It makes it very difficult to recover…While you’re recovering, you’re responding and then another event hits. So, the rug is constantly pulled [from] under your feet.”

The Tongan people’s resilience and experience are vital as they adapt to more frequent extreme weather events. The World Bank is supporting them too, through the Pacific Climate Resilient Transport Program, by helping to ensure that key infrastructure across the Pacific is climate resilient. The program helps Pacific countries reduce the impact of climate change, while sharing knowledge and experiences between them as they upgrade infrastructure.

In Tonga, the program is upgrading ports, roads and an airport to be more resilient to storm surges, floods and high winds. The program has already helped reconstruct ‘Eua’s main port, a vital connection to mainland Tonga.

Satoshi Ogita, the Senior Transport Specialist at the World Bank, who has overseen the works in Tonga, says that for the last 10 years, the World Bank has been pushing to prioritize local construction contractors like ‘Ahononou & Petani. He says these efforts to ensure the work stays local has multiple rewards.

“By working with local businesses like Jean’s, we’re supporting the development of the local workforce and opening up further opportunities,” said Satoshi. “And they bring immense knowledge of local conditions and the local community’s needs, as well as an unrivalled passion for improving their infrastructure that ultimately, they will also be using.”

“And an additional benefit is that the next time disaster strikes, we know there is a ready-to-go workforce that can l be empowered to repair and rebuild infrastructure themselves; rather than waiting for international assistance,” said Satoshi.

Jean is ready to assist in crises, “It’s our responsibility as a local. We’ve got to look after our environment…preparing the community to withstand climate change issues that are going to come.” She's also forward-thinking, “My big vision right now, especially with what we're currently doing here with the World Bank project, is … I dream of expanding my team, getting more professionals here.”

This project is part of the World Bank-supported Pacific Climate Resilient Transport Program. The $338.6 million program, which supports governments in six countries through eight projects, is upgrading vital transport infrastructure – roads, maritime sites (ports, wharves, and jetties) and an airport – to help make communities more resilient to extreme weather events and climate change.

The entire program is funded through grants and credits delivered through the International Development Association (IDA) – the World Bank’s fund for the world’s most in-need countries.