19 October 2010: The World Bank has approved a US$5 million International Development Association (IDA) grant to assist the Government of Tonga in constructing 85 cyclone-resistant houses and rehabilitating a further 60 houses to recover the living standard of the population affected by the tsunami in 2009.

This will be accomplished through reconstruction of residential houses with auxiliary water facilities in Niuatoputapu and strengthening the capacity to address future natural disasters. In addition, the World Bank will provide a US$5 million grant to the Government of Tonga to assist with the overall impact of the global financial crisis and fuel price shocks. [World Bank Press Release]