Priorities of the People Hardship in Tonga
Asian Development Bank | May 2004
Abstract
H ardship and poverty have traditionally not been important issues in Tonga, but they are now becoming daily concerns for many. This is due mainly to the increasing need for cash, emigration from the outer islands to urban areas and overseas, and crowded conditions in some urban areas, especially the squatter settlements. External influences are changing people’s attitudes and aspirations, straining the traditional Tongan social system in which everyone’s needs are met by the community as a whole. Based on an analysis of the 2001 Household Income and Expenditure Survey, about 23% of households were estimated to be living below the basic needs poverty line of T$28.18 per person per week. These households would likely be experiencing some degree of financial hardship, although it doesn’t necessarily mean they did not have enough to eat. It means, rather, that they didn’t have enough income for a basic diet plus the costs of other essential items. Such families had to make difficult daily choices, such as between buying food or paying school fees. To better understand the nature of hardship and poverty in Tonga, the government undertook a Participatory Assessment of Hardship in 2003 with assistance from the Asian Development Hardship is becoming a daily concern for many A widower who takes care of his mentally handicapped son2 3 Bank. The assessment identified the needs and priorities of people living in communities throughout the country with different levels of access to services such as education, health, markets, transportation, water, and sanitation. Sixteen communities were selected for the surveys and interviews, including three urban and two rural communities on the main island of Tongatapu, and 11 communities from the four outer island groups (‘Eua, Ha’apai, Vava’u, and the Niuas). The assessment team consulted village and church leaders, elders, women, youth, and community members who were perceived to be suffering most from hardship. A national workshop was held to present the findings of the assessment and discuss strategies and recommendations for addressing the perceived needs of the people.
Citation
Asian Development Bank. 2004. Priorities of the People Hardship in Tonga. © Asian Development Bank. http://hdl.handle.net/11540/2471. License: CC BY 3.0 IGO.Keywords
Alleviating Poverty
Anti-Poverty
Extreme Poverty
Fight Against Poverty
Global Poverty
Health Aspects Of Poverty
Indicators Of Poverty
Participatory Poverty Assessment
Poverty Eradication
Poverty Analysis
Poverty In Developing Countries
Poverty Reduction Efforts
Urban Poverty
Development Indicators
Environmental Indicators
Economic Indicators
Educational Indicators
Demographic Indicators
Health Indicators
Disadvantaged Groups
Low Income Groups
Socially Disadvantaged Children
Rural Conditions
Rural Development
Social Conditions
Urban Development
Urban Sociology
Poor
Economic forecasting
Health expectancy
Social groups
Political participation
Distribution of income
Inequality of income
Developing countries
Rural community development
Mass society
Social change
Social policy
Social stability
Population
Sustainable development
Peasantry
Urban policy
Urban renewal
Show allCollapse
Citable URI
http://hdl.handle.net/11540/2471Metadata
Show full item recordUsers also downloaded
-
CAREC Transport and Trade Facilitation Strategy 2020
Asian Development Bank (Asian Development Bank, 2013-10-24)The Central Asia Regional Economic Cooperation (CAREC) Transport and Trade Facilitation Strategy (TTFS) was refined to account for changes in the CAREC Program since 2008, particularly expanded membership and the new strategic framework (CAREC 2020). The refined strategy also reflects lessons learned during the initial phase of implementation, aiming to more efficiently and comprehensively achieve ...The Central Asia Regional Economic Cooperation (CAREC) Transport and Trade Facilitation Strategy (TTFS) was refined to account for changes in the CAREC Program since 2008, particularly expanded membership and the new strategic framework (CAREC 2020). ... -
Annual Report 2014: Operational Data
Asian Development Bank (Asian Development Bank, 2015-01-01)The page has additional information for the ADB Annual Report 2014. In 2014, the Asian Development Bank (ADB) approved $22.93 billion in development assistance, including $13.69 billion financed by ADB’s ordinary capital resources and special funds, and a record $9.24 billion by cofinancing partners. Disbursements totaled $10.01 billion, an increase of $1.47 billion (17%) from 2013, and the first ...The page has additional information for the ADB Annual Report 2014. In 2014, the Asian Development Bank (ADB) approved $22.93 billion in development assistance, including $13.69 billion financed by ADB’s ordinary capital resources and special funds, ... -
Annual Report 2014: Organizational Information
Asian Development Bank (Asian Development Bank, 2015-01-01)The page has additional information for the ADB Annual Report 2014. In 2014, the Asian Development Bank (ADB) approved $22.93 billion in development assistance, including $13.69 billion financed by ADB’s ordinary capital resources and special funds, and a record $9.24 billion by cofinancing partners. Disbursements totaled $10.01 billion, an increase of $1.47 billion (17%) from 2013, and the ...The page has additional information for the ADB Annual Report 2014. In 2014, the Asian Development Bank (ADB) approved $22.93 billion in development assistance, including $13.69 billion financed by ADB’s ordinary capital resources and special ...