Written question asked by Catherine West (Labour) on Monday, 17 January 2022, in the House of Commons. It was due for an answer on Thursday, 20 January 2022 (named day). It was answered by Vicky Ford (Conservative) on Thursday, 20 January 2022 on behalf of the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office.

Tonga: Tsunami

Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, (a) what assessment the Government has made of the damage in Tonga caused by the tsunami in that country and (b) if she will make it her policy to increase assistance to that country.

Answer: The UK is very concerned by the appalling devastation caused by the volcanic eruption and tsunami in Tonga. The Tongan authorities, with the support of the Australian and New Zealand defence forces, are conducting an urgent humanitarian assessment of the islands. Once this assessment is complete, we will have a fuller picture of the scale of damage and the nature of the assistance that is needed, so that we can assess what assistance the UK can most helpfully provide. Most UK aid in the Pacific Island countries is delivered through multilateral institutions, which have the capacity and scale to deliver strong development impact in the region on our behalf. Since 2015, Tonga received over £25.9 million of UK aid through our core funding to multilateral institutions.

Secondary information