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.
It is too early to tell what impact the current HIV outbreak in Fiji may have on New Zealand, a charity at the forefront of New Zealand’s response to the virus says.
Many of the people newly diagnosed with HIV in Fiji contracted the virus through injecting drugs. (File image) Photo: Photo / AFP
Fiji has recorded 1093 new HIV cases from the period of January to September 2024, and Fiji’s minister for health and medical services has declared an official outbreak.
The United Nations programme on HIV/AIDS (UNAIDS) said there were three times as many cases between January and September as there were in the same period in 2023.
Preliminary Ministry of Health numbers showed that among the newly diagnosed individuals receiving antiretroviral therapy, half contracted HIV through injecting drugs, it said.
The rise in infections in Fiji “put the entire Pacific region at risk”, UNAID’s director in Asia Pacific Eamonn Murphy said.
The Burnett Foundation, formerly the New Zealand AIDS Foundation, said the outbreak in Fiji was still new and it was unclear to what extent sexual transmission was contributing to the outbreak.
“It is too early to tell what the impact will be here in Aotearoa,” the foundation’s interim general manager Alex Anderson said.
It was likely that sex between men was playing a role, Anderson said, but he believed that stigma about sex between men was affecting the reporting of such cases.
“We hope more data on modes of transmission will be available soon, and we will continue to monitor the situation.”
The Burnett Foundation would continue to ensure people in Aotearoa had good awareness of HIV and were well-protected with condoms, PrEP( an HIV prevention medication), testing, antiretroviral therapy, and free and easy access to needles, he said.
New Zealand had a strong practice of a safe supply of needles and a needle exchange programme, he said. People who used drugs accounted for very few HIV infections in New Zealand, thanks to that programme.
Anderson said the current outbreak in Fiji also highlighted the need for temporary migrants in New Zealand to have funded access to PrEP.
“We know that there are strong migrant connections between Fiji and Aotearoa New Zealand.”
Temporary migrants are not currently eligible for funded PrEP in New Zealand, and need to pay for it along with the necessary lab tests.
Anderson also called for the New Zealand government to support Fiji through the outbreak, “to ensure good access to prevention, testing and Antiretroviral therapy for people living with HIV and the establishment of a needle exchange programme”.
A motorcyclist has died after a crash at Bunnythorpe, north of Palmerston North.
(File photo) Photo:
Emergency services were called to the crash involving a car and motorbike, at the intersection of Railway Road and Clevely Line, just after 8:30pm on Friday, police said in a statement.
The motorcyclist died at the scene.
No-one else was injured in the crash, but the intersection was closed until the early hours of Saturday as a scene examination was carried out.
A video shows a car overtaking other vehicles in the wrong lane and narrowly misses crashing into oncoming vehicles that abruptly emerged around a bend ahead.
The driver in question appeared to have made a critical split-second decision to manoeuvre back into their rightful lane.
The first oncoming vehicle was seen veering to its left in an effort to avoid a collision on the steep road with the car.
It appeared that the potential collision was only avoided because the queue in the car’s lane caused them to drive slowly before making the dangerous overtaking manoeuvre.
Kaniva News could not immediately verify the authenticity of the footage.
The footage was shared on Facebook and has attracted more than 100 comments.
Commenters have strongly urged the person who recorded the video to report it to the police.
Some viewers have expressed their disapproval of the video’s content, labelling the action as both reckless and stupid.
The plea from a US bishop to President Donald Trump to have mercy on immigrants has sparked a division among Tongans concerning LGBTQ+ rights.
‘They fear for their lives’: Bishop confronts Trump on immigration and gay rights – video
While some in the community, which included most of about 80,000 Tongans living in the US, showed compassion towards migrants and saw the bishop’s efforts as a call for humanity, others held to their traditional views that conflict with LGBTQ+ rights.
During his inauguration service, Bishop Mariann Edgar Budde told Trump that most immigrants, even those without proper documentation, were good neighbours, and the vast majority were “not criminals.”
She said, “There are gay, lesbian and transgender children in Democratic, Republican and independent families, some who fear for their lives.”
She implored Trump to “have mercy upon” immigrants and LGBTQ+ people.
Budde’s plea during the inaugural prayer service sermon draws fury from conservatives as others praise her ‘courage’.
Trump’s reactions
Trump took to social media the following day and called Budde a “Radical Left hard line Trump hater” adding that “she brought her church into the World of politics in a very ungracious way” and criticized her tone as “nasty”.
He later demanded an apology from the bishop, which she refused.
Kaniva News published the news about the woke bishop’s imploration and shared it on its social media accounts.
It prompted vigorous discussions as numerous Tongan supporters of President Trump voiced their discontent with the Bishop.
They contended that it was inappropriate for her to raise such a sensitive and political issue during the solemn occasion of the inauguration service, arguing that the event should focus on unity and celebration rather than political discourse.
“What type of faifekau (church minister) is her?” a commenter wrote in Tongan.
“This pastor advocates for gay people”, another wrote.
“There are pastors who are representative of Satan”, one commenter wrote.
However, supporters of the Bishop wrote otherwise.
They believed that the Bishop was making a commendable choice by advocating for those who are marginalized and often unheard in society.
“That’s what is written in the Holy Bible, to love your enemy”, a commenter wrote in support of the Bishop in Tongan.
“She is speaking for the weak and voiceless”.
Some mentioned that during the prayer service, Trump opened his eyes, glancing around the room in apparent dissatisfaction with the Bishop’s pleas.
Traditional views
In Tonga, engagement in same-sex sexual activities, whether between men or women, is classified as a criminal offence. The legal framework stipulates a maximum penalty of up to ten years of imprisonment for individuals found guilty of this offence.
LGBTQ+ individuals face significant social stigma and discrimination, primarily as a result of the deeply ingrained conservative values and cultural norms present in society.
There is a lack of legal protections against discrimination based on sexual orientation or gender identity in Tonga, which further compounds the difficulties confronted by the LGBTQ+ community.
However, despite the anti-gay law and the stigmatization, Tonga’s homosexual and transgender community is active in the country, and there have been numerous organizations established as platforms to advocate for their rights, such as Tonga’s Leiti Association.
As Kaniva News reported previously, a petition was organised to urge the king to revoke his appointment of the kingdom’s current Chief Judge after it was revealed that he is gay.
The petition was based on reports that Justice Malcolm Bishop and his late partner, Anthony Vander Woerd, another man, lived together as a gay couple for 51 years.
In 2016, the then-former Chief Justice Charles Cato sentenced and jailed Sione Iketau with the final 12 months being suspended after the prisoner was convicted of sodomising a child under the age of 12.
COMMENTARY: Fiji’s outbreak of HIV should serve as a critical warning for Tonga, which previously faced a notable increase in its HIV cases.
Fiji’s minister for health and medical services has declared an HIV outbreak.
Dr Ratu Atonio Rabici Lalabalavu announced 1093 new HIV cases from the period of January to September 2024.
“This declaration reflects the alarming reality that HIV is evolving faster than our current services can cater for,” he said.
“We need the support of every Fijian. Communities, civil society, faith-based organisations, private sector partners, and international allies must join us in raising awareness, reducing stigma, and ensuring everyone affected by HIV receives the care and support they need.”
Tonga cases
Tonga’s first case of HIV was recorded in 1987.
In 2014, there were 19 cases of HIV recorded in the kingdom.
The former director of Health, Dr Siale ‘Akau’ola, previously said the kingdom needed to continue its work in preventing HIV-aids, including educating on safe sex, to reach new United Nations targets.
Dr Akauola told RNZ Pacific at the time that his ministry has been successful in keeping the number of HIV/aids cases in Tonga at 19 since 2012.
However, he said they need to stay vigilant.
But why should the situation in Fiji be a concern for Tonga?
Fijian authorities attributed the outbreak to the sharing of drugs through blood to get high. The method is known as bluetoothing.
How does bluetoothing work?
It is when one person becomes the host and injects themself with meth.
When the high kicks in, another person draws out blood, often using the same needle, and injects it into their own vein.
In a group, this can be done multiple times.
It is a popular practice in Fiji in situations when there is a limited amount of meth.
Meth crisis
Tonga is in a methamphetamine crisis.
Kaniva News is aware of unconfirmed reports that blutoothing is already being used by drug users in Tonga.
A New Zealand’s One News report claimed a young mother and her two siblings in Tonga take meth daily while children are in the house.
The drugs are supplied to her by friends in exchange for sex, the report said.
She said while she “should” kick her addiction, “it’s making me stronger”.
What is HIV?
HIV (human immunodeficiency virus) is a virus that attacks cells that help the body fight infection, making a person more vulnerable to other infections and diseases.
It is spread by contact with certain bodily fluids of a person with HIV, most commonly during unprotected sex (sex without a condom or HIV medicine to prevent or treat HIV), or through sharing injection drug equipment.
If left untreated, HIV can lead to the disease AIDS (acquired immunodeficiency syndrome).
Eke’s inaugural public speech was live-streamed from the Prime Minister’s office in Nuku’alofa this afternoon.
He congratulated the king on his appointment, mentioning the Tongan saying, ‘Oku tu’a e sino’ kae ‘eiki ‘a e fatongia’.
This means Eke is still a commoner, but his appointment by the king represents his duty as regal.
“‘Pea oku fai ai ‘a e tukupā ‘o fakatatau pea mo e tohi fakanofo”, he said in Tongan, meaning this was the basis of his undertaking to carry his duty according to his appointment letter.
He said the former Cabinet Ministers will continue to serve temporarily until his new Ministers are officially appointed.
He said the decision aims to ensure all constitutional requirements are fulfilled.
Dr Eke said the Acting Prime Minister Samiu Vaipulu’s role as caretaker ended on Wednesday.
Eke emphasized the importance of continuity in governance during this period of change, expressing confidence in the capabilities of the current officials to uphold their responsibilities.
Eke has faced criticisms lately due to his insufficient communication about the developments in his meetings aimed at nominating his Cabinet lineup.
Observers have expressed concern that the public remains largely in the dark about the decisions and the rationale behind them, fostering a sense of distrust and frustration among constituents seeking transparency in the governmental process.
Many have called for more regular updates and more precise explanations of the selection criteria and discussions taking place during these important meetings.
It is understood that one significant challenge Eke encounters is the need to unify the MPs of his political faction. The fact that they are a mixture of people’s independently elected MPs and noble MPs not chosen by the constituents presents a significant issue for Eke.
The difficulty of dealing with this diverse composition has proven to be a barrier in the past, especially its lack of legally binding provisions within the legislation. This could hamper Eke’s ability to achieve timely agreements and complicate his efforts to address the diverse interests of all his MPs.
A recent survey has highlighted the pressing issue of inadequate professional treatment for mental health patients in Tonga.
The findings reveal significant gaps in mental health services, impacting the well-being of individuals in the kingdom, according to the survey led by Te Poutoko Ora a Kiwa Director Professor Sir Collin Tukuitonga.
Many patients report difficulties accessing necessary care, which underscores the urgent need for improved mental health resources and support systems in Tonga, the report says.
It says the 2023 survey in Tonga showed 96 percent of participants had never visited a mental health professional.
“In both Tonga and Samoa, the research found two percent could be diagnosed with depression.
“None of the people with depression in Tonga had seen a mental health professional before the survey”, it says.
Surveys conducted in 2023 offer the first comprehensive national data on mental health in Samoa and Tonga, says Sir Collin Tukuitonga, director of Te Poutoko Ora a Kiwa – Centre for Pacific and Global Health at Waipapa Taumata Rau, University of Auckland.
Working alongside Pacific health and research professionals in Samoa and Tonga, Sir Collin co-led the research with Te Poutoko Ora a Kiwa co-directors Professor Judith McCool and Dr Roannie Ng Shiu.
About 1000 participants were surveyed from across four villages in Samoa and four villages in Tonga.
The New Zealand Ministry of Health Polynesian Health Corridors funded the research, which uncovered “significant” levels of mental distress in Samoa and Tonga.
About eight percent of the participants in Samoa and six percent in Tonga experienced psychological distress, in comparison to four to six percent of Pacific peoples in Aotearoa over recent years.
A 2013 World Health Organisation report on several Pacific Island countries indicated more than 90 percent of people with diagnosed mental disorders had received no care or treatment in the previous year. Sir Collin says the research highlights the inadequacy of mental health services for Tonga and Samoa, and the difficulty for people to access care.
“There’s a severe shortage of trained mental health workers in the islands. There’s only one psychiatrist in Samoa for more than 225,000 people and one psychiatrist in Tonga serving more than 100,000 people.
“We have raised with the New Zealand Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade the need for training and workforce support to increase the numbers of mental health workers in Samoa and Tonga.
“It’s important to get better services there as fast as possible,” he says.
The lack of mental health services means many people with severe mental health disorders are initially picked up by the criminal justice system, says Sir Collin.
“People with less severe disorders, such as anxiety and depression, are basically left to box on alone. They might get help from friends, family or the church.”
About eight percent of the research participants in Tonga and five percent in Samoa reported high alcohol use, compared with a notably higher 20 percent among Pacific peoples in New Zealand.
“One possible explanation for the elevated alcohol use among Pacific peoples in New Zealand could stem from the cultural shift experienced upon relocating from their homelands,” the Tonga Mental Health Survey report states.
A meeting of Tonga’s mental health professionals and experts in 2023.
About six percent of the participants in Tonga and four percent in Samoa had a clinically diagnosed alcohol use disorder.
Binge drinking is a problem that needs to be addressed in the Pacific, says Sir Collin.
“There’s often harm related to binge drinking, such as traffic accidents, violence against women and girls, and violence generally,” he says.
One to three percent of Pacific people in Aotearoa suffer post-traumatic stress disorder, while the study found two percent with PTSD in Tonga and one percent in Samoa. The higher rate in Tonga could be associated with extreme storms caused by climate-change, the 2022 volcanic eruption and subsequent tsunami that displaced people from Ha’apai, and chronic conditions of poverty, under-employment, and violence, the survey report states.
The study in Samoa found people in the Apia urban area were 32 times more likely to suffer psychological distress than those in Savai’i, despite better access to health services in Apia. This suggests urban life is more stressful and connections with family and culture in less developed areas might help protect against distress, the survey report states.
Women in Samoa were more than twice as likely as men to suffer major depression, and four times more likely to have generalised anxiety disorder.
However, men in Samoa were five times more likely than women to have alcohol use disorder.
Stigma around mental health problems remains “deep and pervasive” in Samoa, an issue which needs to be addressed, the Samoa survey report states.
The research highlighted the need for more public health campaigns, community workshops, and school-based programs to reduce stigma and promote early intervention for mental health issues.
The report from Tonga recommends mental health screening and treatment be carried out in primary healthcare settings, to improve access.
In Samoa, no mental health helplines or telehealth options are currently available, so this was recommended to improve services, particularly for those in outlying areas.
The Mental Health Act in Samoa also needs to be updated, to improve care for people with mental health problems, the report states.
Further mental health surveys are planned in Tokelau and Niue this year.
