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Australia is a significant long-term donor to the Kingdom of Tonga and has supported development and disaster risk management programs for many years. Tropical Cyclone (TC) Gita struck Tonga in February 2018, causing destruction across multiple islands and affecting 80,000 people. Australia responded with a $14 million response and recovery package to support the provision of assistance, including humanitarian supplies, immediate shelter, health and water, sanitation and hygiene (WASH) needs, and support for the health, livelihoods, essential services, gender and protection, and cash transfer sectors. Australia continues to support longer-term recovery efforts, including through reconstructing and repairing schools, as well as facilitating improved capacity within government to manage development finance.

This report details the findings and recommendations from a mid-term evaluation of the Australian response and recovery package for TC Gita. The evaluation assesses the quality and impact of Australia’s assistance in the response using the Joint New Zealand Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade (MFAT)–DFAT Humanitarian Monitoring & Evaluation Framework for the Pacific (MEF).

At the time of the evaluation, several recovery programs funded through the package had not started implementation. This evaluation focuses on the humanitarian response phase and an assessment of the transition phase into recovery. The scope of this evaluation does not include evaluating the responses of the Australian Defence Force or the Australian Police Force. Findings from the mid-term evaluation will be used to inform the ongoing recovery package, shape advocacy on the broader recovery efforts continuing in country, and provide lessons for future Australian humanitarian responses in both Tonga and the broader Pacific region.