Tonga launches five-year multi-hazard strategy for risk communication and community engagement

^{Representatives from Tonga’s government and civil society discuss risk communication and community engagement at the workshop. Photo: © WHO / Nancy Wong}

Nuku’alofa, Tonga – 15 April 2026 – The Kingdom of Tonga has taken a significant step toward strengthening its preparedness for public health emergencies with the launch of its second Multi-Hazard Risk Communication and Community Engagement (RCCE) Strategy 2026–2030.

Led by the Ministry of Health and with support from WHO, the launch reflects a continued commitment to a more proactive, coordinated and community-centred approach in managing health risks and emergencies.

A shift toward partnership and preparedness

The strategy, which builds on the foundation laid by Tonga’s first multi-hazard RCCE strategy 2024–2025, reinforces a whole-of-society approach, bringing together government agencies, civil society, faith leaders, and communities to ensure that health information reaches people in ways that are culturally appropriate, accessible and actionable.

The strategy guides how information is shared before, during and after emergencies, ensuring timely, consistent and evidence-based communication.

^{Dr ‘Ofa Tukia, Chief Medical Officer for Public Health, and Dr Reynold ‘Ofanoa, Chief Executive Officer for Health, at the multi-hazard RCCE strategy launch. Photo: © WHO / Nancy Wong}

“This is about putting the power of information in the hands of our communities … building a culture where people are informed, engaged, and ready to face any challenge,” said Chief Executive Officer for Health Dr Reynold ‘Ofanoa.

Speaking at the launch, Chief Medical Officer for Public Health Dr ‘Ofa Tukia emphasized that effective emergency response depends on collaboration across all levels of society: “We are moving from a reactive, top-down approach toward a proactive partnership – one that recognizes that effective health emergency response requires the involvement of everyone.”

Lessons from recent emergencies

The updated strategy builds on lessons learned from Tonga’s recent public health challenges, including one of the most severe dengue outbreaks in the past decade. During the 2025 outbreak, which lasted nearly 6 months, RCCE played a central role in the national response.

Through coordinated efforts with WHO and partners, the Ministry of Health delivered information via multiple channels – including radio, television, SMS, social media and community outreach – helping communities take early action by recognizing warning signs and seeking prompt diagnosis and life-saving care.

These experiences helped refine coordination mechanisms, clarify roles and responsibilities, and strengthen partnerships with key stakeholders such as schools, churches, and community leaders.

Tackling misinformation and building trust

A key feature of the 2026–2030 strategy is its strong focus on managing “fake news,” rumours, and misinformation (collectively known as infodemic management). During COVID-19, the recent dengue outbreak, and previous HPV vaccination campaigns, misinformation created uncertainty around public health measures.

The new strategy incorporates tools such as online and offline community feedback mechanisms as well as practical templates to better identify and respond to misinformation.

In particular, the strategy emphasizes working closely with the media to ensure accurate, timely health information reaches communities. This supports the dispelling of rumours and misinformation while strengthening overall health literacy and public trust in health leaders.

Inclusion of media counterparts was crucial in strategy development, and media representatives participated in the launch-day training and simulation exercises.

“Around the world, we see a growing challenge of misinformation, which can spread quickly and undermine trust during emergencies,” said Ms Sophie Genay-Diliautas, WHO Deputy Representative to the South Pacific and Acting Country Liaison Officer for Tonga, highlighting the importance of trust. “Public health communication is not only about delivering messages – it is about listening, building trust, and empowering communities to be part of the response.”

^{Ms Sophie Genay-Diliautas, WHO Deputy Representative to the South Pacific and Acting Country Liaison Officer for Tonga, speaking at the launch. Photo: © WHO / Nancy Wong}

From strategy to action

The launch was followed by an RCCE training session and a simulation exercise, designed to translate the strategy into practice, with more than 20 participants from various sectors testing tools and approaches in real-time scenarios.

Participants engaged in practical sessions on message development, infodemic management, and social listening, before taking part in a multisectoral simulation exercise based on a One Health emergency scenario, integrating human, animal and environmental health.

Alongside the Ministry of Health, participants included representatives from the:

• Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Forests
• Ministry of Internal Affairs
• Tonga National Broadcasting Corporation
• Tonga National Council of Churches
• Civil Society Forum of Tonga
• Tonga Police
• Tonga Red Cross Society.

^{Representatives of the Tongan Ministry of Health and the WHO South Pacific at the launch of the Multi-Hazard RCCE Strategy 2026–2030 in Nuku’alofa, Tonga. Photo: © WHO / Nancy Wong}

Simulation exercises like this help strengthen coordination, test response mechanisms, and build confidence across sectors.

With continued collaboration between the Ministry of Health, other Government ministries, civil society, communities, WHO and partners, and funding support from the Korea Disease Control and Prevention Agency (KDCA), Tonga is reinforcing a critical foundation for protecting health: one built on trust, timely information, and community engagement.

^{Participants of the simulation exercise practice their decision-making skills in the context of an emergency. Photo: © WHO / Nancy Wong}