To capture the immediate and ongoing effects of the eruption of the Hunga Tonga-Hunga Ha’apai submarine volcano, the World Bank carried out phone surveys in partnership with the Governments of…

Shohei Nakamura, Utz Pape |

Focusing on Kiribati, Tonga and Vanuatu, in late 2020 the World Bank conducted roughly 450 interviews with temporary migrant workers, their families and communities, and their employers. We…

Kirstie Petrou, Dung Doan, Ursula Casabonne |

The World Bank Group’s earlier resilience projects and recent support to Tonga’s emergency response and recovery efforts – including a development policy loan of over US$18M – have been vital in…

Alina Monica Antoci |

The Russian invasion of Ukraine threatens the uneven recovery of East Asia and Pacific. The invasion comes on top of the economic distress caused by the lingering COVID-19 pandemic, the financial…

Aaditya Mattoo, Ekaterine T. Vashakmadze, Ergys Islamaj |

Physical infrastructure has a critical role to play in supporting post-pandemic recovery and in laying the longer-term foundations for green, resilient, and inclusive development.

Riccardo Puliti |

Tonga has been concerned about the health implications of a lack of available and affordable fresh fish in local markets. This blog explores three ways to boost food security and foster healthy…

Tu’ikolongahau Halafihi, Sutayut Osornprasop, Sione Hufanga |

A new paper, How could the Pacific restore international travel after COVID?, highlights the benefits of a phased approach to opening up the Pacific, alongside the potential pitfalls, and less…

Andrew Blackman, Hamish Wyatt |

Through the money they send home, migrant workers play a substantial role in the economy of Pacific Island countries like Tonga. But cumbersome and time-intensive visa procedures often get in the…

Raunak Mittal, Kay Atanda |

2020 marks 35 years of the World Bank’s partnership with the Kingdom of Tonga in the South Pacific. Find out about the experiences of local staff member Natalia Latu as she shares memories of…

Tom Perry |

Multiple and overlapping disaster and crises are demonstrating the need for adaptability and flexibility of national disaster risk management (DRM) systems. Here are five ideas to consider when…

Jian Vun, Jolanta Kryspin-Watson |