Gender & Disability Inclusion Analysis (Adolescents & Youth) Hunga Tonga Hunga Ha’apai Volcanic Eruption and Tonga Tsunami

This report presents a Gender and Disability Inclusion (GEDSI) Analysis focused on adolescents and youth affected by the January 2022 Hunga Tonga–Hunga Haʻapai volcanic eruption and tsunami. It aims to understand the differentiated impacts of the disaster on young people aged approximately 10–34 years, including adolescents and youth with disabilities, in the context of pre-existing social norms, inequalities, and the concurrent COVID-19 crisis in Tonga.

Drawing on qualitative interviews, focus group discussions, surveys, and secondary data, the analysis documents impacts across multiple sectors, including livelihoods, education, health, WASH, protection, and access to information. It highlights increased household responsibilities for adolescent girls, heightened psychosocial distress, disrupted schooling, reduced livelihood opportunities, and significant barriers faced by youth with disabilities in accessing services and participating in decision-making. Communication challenges, particularly following damage to the undersea cable, further limited access to timely and inclusive information.

The report emphasizes that while adolescents and youth are disproportionately affected by disasters, they also demonstrate strong coping mechanisms, capacities, and aspirations that can contribute to recovery and resilience. It concludes with recommendations to strengthen inclusive disaster response, recovery, and preparedness by ensuring meaningful youth participation, gender- and disability-sensitive programming, safe spaces, accessible services, and improved data disaggregation to support more equitable and resilient outcomes.