Tongan community appeals for help

ONE of the most terrifying and deadliest volcanic eruption in recent times hit the tiny island kingdom of Tonga in January 2022.
An underwater volcano known as the Hunga-Tonga-Hunga-Ha’apai volcano situated about 30 kms southeast of Tonga’s Fonuafo’ou Island, and at a depth of 2,000 metres from the sea floor erupted on 15th of January, emitting tons of ash fall and triggering a tsunami for Tonga and nearby Samoa. Tidal surges were felt in New Zealand, Australia, United States and Japan.
As a prelude to the actual tsunami a few hours after the volcanic eruption, huge waves crashed onto shorelines and into homes along the coast as people of Tonga scrambled in their cars to flee the ensuing waves to higher grounds.
The tsunami that arrived later, and from eyewitness accounts rose to as high as 6 metres, has claimed at least three lives. An elderly man was swept out to sea and survived for more than 24 hours before reaching the western edge of Nuku’alofa at 9pm in the night.
His remarkable tale of survival considering his age and disability speaks of the tremendous courage, faith and endurance of the people of Tonga. Just a week after the disaster, with barely any material possession on them, and widespread destruction to their homes and food gardens, the Tongan people began the reconstruction work all on their own. To highlight this point certain news media outlets posted pictures on their social media page of Tongans sweeping the airport runway with their bare hands to rid of ash fall that have settled on the runway. This was to allow military aircrafts from Australia and New Zealand to land safely with much needed relief supplies.
In Papua New Guinea, the news of the volcanic eruption and impending tsunami caused anxiety and fear amongst a small Tongan community who have come to call PNG home. The fear for the safety and wellbeing of their families and loved ones was agonizing, to say the least. Wife of Governor General Lady Emeline Dadae, a Tongan herself, gathered members of the Tongan community together as they await news from loved ones back in Tonga. The wait however, became excruciating, given that the impact of the volcanic eruption and the tsunami destroyed telecommunication services including telephone lines which affected network coverage for mobile communication. For a few tense days there was no news from Tonga even international media were not able to get information out of Tonga.
Fast forward to today almost a month since the disaster, the people of Tonga have already begun reconstruction work including renovation of homes that have been either partially or completely destroyed by the tsunami. Instead of waiting on their government and international aid, the people of Tonga have taken it upon themselves to rebuild their lives without delay, as international aid starts to trickle in.
It is against this backdrop that the PNG Tonga community have rallied together on a fundraising drive to raise much needed funds towards the reconstruction effort. From information gleaned from loved ones in Tonga, there is a need for basic building materials as well as food and water.
The PNG Tonga community has set up a fundraising committee and opened up a bank account, PNG Tonga Relief, with Bank South Pacific from which monetary donations can be deposited into. Supported by Governor General Sir Bob Dadae as patron of the PNG Tongan fundraising committee and Lady Emeline, the committee will host a one-off fundraising event in March this year. The committee is seeking sponsorship from business houses and corporate organizations towards this cause. All funds raised will be forwarded to the Tongan High Commission in Canberra, Australia to be sent to Tonga. In line with the Covid-19 restrictions, only a few tables will be available. The committee is seeking sponsorship from business houses and corporate organisations towards this cause. All funds raised will be forwarded to the Tongan High Commission in Canberra, Australia to be sent to Tonga.
The PNG Tonga community is grateful to their friends in PNG who have expressed concerns and a willingness to assist in cash and in kind. It is hoped that the fundraising dinner as well as donations from friends and the public will meet the target of K500,000 set by the committee.
There are only a handful of Tongans living in Port Moresby and throughout the country. Most are missionaries with the Church of Christ of the Latter Day Saints, who have since returned to Tonga, students attending universities and those who have married Papua New Guineans and call PNG home.
“We appreciate and are grateful for whatever contribution is made towards this cause. The main thing for us is that we are able to raise the much needed funds towards the reconstruction effort back home in Tonga. The people of Tonga will greatly appreciate the kind gesture from wantoks here in PNG coming to their aid at this time of need,” spokesperson for the PNG Tonga community said.
Meantime, Governor General Sir Bob Dadae has expressed his gratitude to Prime Minister James Marape following his recent announcement of a K10 million relief assistance to the people of Tonga.
“As patron of the committee, I want to extend my appreciation to the Prime Minister for the Government’s support of K10 million towards the people of Tonga. As our Pacific neighbour, Tonga like other countries in the Pacific, is like family to us. So as members of a family, we assist each other in times of need,” Sir Bob said.
The committee is the only official fundraiser for Tonga disaster relief fin the country and urges other private fundraising committees to join them so that as a team, they can work together for the same cause.
For further information on how you can help make a donation, kindly contact the following: Solaite Aeava (chairperson) mob: 762 28291; or Selaima David (secretary) mob: 786 67155 Donations can be made to: PNG Tonga Relief, account no: 7026293485, BSP Haus branch.