US President Donald Trump’s decision to freeze new funding for nearly all US aid programs could have significant implications for Tonga.
The State Department, according to an Associated Press report, “has ordered a sweeping freeze Friday on new funding for almost all U.S. foreign assistance, making exceptions for emergency food programs and military aid to Israel and Egypt”.
The US provides more foreign aid globally than any other country, budgeting about $60 billion in 2023, or about 1% of the U.S. budget.
The US has a long history of assistance with Tonga, which proved helpful to the archipelago.
The aid supports various initiatives, including disaster relief, infrastructure development, military, security, fisheries and health services in the kingdom.
In 2021, the United States, through the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID), provided an additional $2.5 million in humanitarian assistance to support people affected by volcanic eruptions and tsunami waves in Tonga.
That funding was in addition to an initial $100,000 in immediate assistance and longstanding programs in Tonga that are already responding to urgent needs.
The kingdom received critical water, sanitation, and hygiene supplies and supporting disease prevention messaging campaigns to reduce the spread of infectious disease.
USAID also worked through partners to address food security, agriculture, livestock, and shelter needs among the most affected populations.
“USAID also works year-round in Tonga to help communities prepare for and be more resilient to natural disasters. With more than $8 million in existing programs across the Pacific region, USAID partners have been on the ground responding. For example, local partners are distributing thousands of first aid and hygiene kits that were prepositioned in Tonga”.
Another USAID partner is providing emergency telecommunications support after the eruption broke an underwater communications cable, leaving most of Tonga without communication and internet access.
USAID also works with partners to maintain air and sea transport capabilities that stand ready to deliver relief supplies to people on all affected islands and in remote communities.
USAID disaster experts in the region coordinate response efforts with humanitarian partners and other donors like France, Australia, and New Zealand to help Tonga.
Major financial contributor
Apart from providing direct funding to Tonga, the United States is a major financial contributor to international and regional organizations that assist Tonga.
This included the Asian Development Bank (ADB), World Bank, UN Children’s Fund, World Health Organization, and UN Fund for Population Activities. However, the US has withdrawn its financial support for the World Health Organization this week, with President Trump saying that the global health agency has mishandled the COVID-19 pandemic and various other international health crises.
Tonga receives Foreign Military Financing (FMF) to equip its military and participates in the International Military Education and Training (IMET) program, which sends Tongan officers and senior enlisted personnel to professional military education and leadership development courses in the United States.
The Nevada National Guard has a State Partnership Program with Tonga, with whom it regularly conducts joint training.
The United States also has a ship-rider agreement with Tonga to provide security and support ship-rider missions which allow Tongan law enforcement officials to ride aboard U.S. Coast Guard vessels.
The United States also contributes U.S. Coast Guard and U.S. Navy air assets to regional Forum Fisheries Agency (FFA) operations that help combat IUU fishing in the country’s exclusive economic zone (EEZ) and supports the long-term sustainability of the fisheries resources.
Additionally, Tonga is a regular participant in U.S. Pacific Command sponsored workshops on topics including humanitarian assistance/disaster relief, maritime security, peacekeeping, and international humanitarian law.
