The Hunga Tonga-Hunga Ha’apai (HT-HH) undersea volcano in the Kingdom of Tonga erupted on 15 January 2022 at 17.10 hours local time in a blast that was felt across the world. As a result of the eruption, the Government of Tonga declared a state of emergency on 16 January 2022. The eruption resulted in two events with potential impacts on agriculture livelihoods and all agriculture sub-sectors (crops, livestock, fisheries and aquaculture and forestry): a volcanic ash cloud and a tsunami. The Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Forestry and the Ministry of Fisheries, together with FAO, conducted a Volcano Eruption Household Impact Survey. Data collection was facilitated by Mainstreaming of Rural Development Innovation (MORDI) Tonga Trust, a national partner for project implementation. The household survey was conducted in the three most impacted divisions – ‘Eua, Ha’apai and Tongatapu. A total of 854 households were interviewed across the three divisions. The data collection process was challenged by various issues, including movement restrictions due to COVID-19 lockdown. This impact report outlines the findings of the survey and proposes medium- and long-term recommendations.

Disasters are resulting in unprecedented levels of destruction across the world. These shocks and disruptions affect the functioning and sustainability of agricultural production and threaten the livelihoods of millions of people reliant on agrifood systems. Reducing the impact of disasters in agriculture requires a better understanding of the extent to which these events produce negative impacts in agriculture and necessitates an investigation into the underlying risks that make agriculture vulnerable to the effects of disasters. The FAO flagship report on ‘The Impact of Disasters on Agriculture and Food Security’ provides a timely and comprehensive overview of how disasters are affecting agriculture and food security around the world. Building on previous work of the FAO on this topic, the report estimates losses caused by disasters on agricultural production over the past three decades and delves into the diverse threats and impacts affecting the crops, livestock, forestry, and fisheries and aquaculture subsectors. It analyzes the complex interplay of underlying risks, such as climate change, pandemics, epidemics and armed conflicts, and how they drive disaster risk in agriculture and agrifood systems at large. The report provides examples of actions and strategies for investing in resilience and proactively addressing risks in agriculture. It demonstrates ways to mainstream disaster risk into agricultural practices and policies and calls for a deeper understanding of the context in which these solutions are implemented.

On the 15th January 2022 the underwater Hunga Tonga–Hunga Ha?apai volcano, located in the north of Tongatapu (the main island of Tonga), erupted following several minor eruptions over the previous weeks. It was reported as the largest recorded eruption in the past 30 years. On 14 January 2022, the Tonga Geological Services issued an alert of the Hunga Tonga Hunga Ha’apai volcanic activity and a tsunami marine warning. The powerful eruption subsequently resulted in a tsunami in Tonga and the surrounding region, with effects reaching countries including Fiji, America Samoa and as far as Chile and Peru. With around 86 percent of Tongans engaged in agriculture, the impacts of the eruption and tsunami may have impacted all agriculture sectors, including fisheries, crops and livestock. The volcanic plume reached 30 km into the atmosphere, releasing volcanic gases and aerosols that were subsequently carried over neighbouring countries, potentially impacting public health and the environment. The Government of Tonga declared a state of emergency on 16 January 2022.

When the Hunga Tonga - Hunga Ha'apai volcano erupted on January 15,2022, destruction, death and personal stories of survival filled the news worldwide. Sonic waves from the blast were recorded around the globe. Tonga is known as "The Friendly Islands" and will remain so, regardless of Hunga Tonga - Hunga Ha'apai. This book "Hunga Tonga - The Volcano!" is filled with dramatic photos and records, such as that of Lisala Folau "the Aquaman" who survived 27 hours at sea when his small island of Atata was completely submerged. Nomuka, Mango and Fonoifua islands all have their own dramas to read about in "Hunga Tonga - The Volcano!"

This book explores island resilience and how island communities come together to achieve wellbeing, have agency over their future and resist ongoing neo-colonialism during disruptive events such as COVID-19 and the increasing threats of climate change. This collection provides examples of lived experiences and the responses of island communities, many of them based in tourism-reliant locations. These examples are based on intensive research by a team of diverse academics and practitioners. The chapters offer case studies that interrogate theories related to resilience, wellbeing and social inclusion and provide cutting-edge insights that demonstrate the multifaceted complexity of island resilience. This book examines the islands, their developing economy and social development themes. It is relevant for academic researchers, students, and practitioners interested in the multiple components that contribute to the resilience of island communities, including community development, economic development, tourism, disaster response, community wellbeing, social justice, globalisation, decolonisation, and neoliberal governance in island communities. As many of the island economies examined are also developing island-states, this volume is also essential to scholars investigating economies in transition. The collection is truly interdisciplinary and offers state-of-the-art knowledge on island communities and their resilience.

The first comprehensive assessment of global volcanic hazards and risk, with detailed regional profiles, for the disaster risk reduction community. Also available as Open Access.