Tonga : a country profile

General information is first presented on the country"s physical, cultural, demographic, economic, and political characteristics. The report then reviews the natural disasters -- cyclones, storm surges, earthquakes, tsunamis, volcanoes, floods, and drought -- to which various regions of the country are prone. Cyclones are noted as the primary disaster threat in Tonga; averaging two per year, they are responsible for the most loss of life and damage to property and crops. The last and longest section details Tonga"s internal disaster preparedness organizations and activities; the vulnerability to natural disasters of its water supply/sanitation, communications, transportation, energy, and housing infrastructure; and its external disaster relief resources (U.S. and other donors and private voluntary organizations). A brief description is given of the National Office for Disaster Relief and Reconstruction, an ad hoc agency set-up after 1982"s Cyclone Isaac to provide cyclone warning and relief. Appendices include a case study on disaster assistance following Cyclone Isaac and a 3-page bibliography (1980-86).