Results for Outer Islands

Caritas Aotearoa New Zealand has pledged NZD$40,000 to support Caritas Tonga’s response to Tropical Cyclone Ian. Caritas Tonga has expertise in providing psychosocial support following a disaster, and Caritas Aotearoa New Zealand will support this again if the need is identified, stated its director, Julianne Hickey.

The Salvation Army has launched an appeal for funds to meet the educational needs of children in Tonga affected by Cyclone Ian, one of the most powerful storms on record.

A partnership of international humanitarian agencies known as the Pacific Humanitarian Team (PHT) has stated that it is ready to support Tonga’s recovery from Cyclone Ian.

Images of Faleloa village before and after Cyclone Ian, show how lush vegetation has been stripped from Foa Island. Before Cyclone Ian, Faleloa homes were surrounded by breadfruit trees, mangoes and bananas and other food crops.

Kalolaine Paongo (51) of Pangai was killed when Tropical Cyclone Ian (Cat 5) hit the main island of Lifuka in Ha’apai on Saturday, January 11, and was the only death reported so far from the Cyclone Ian.

While communications are down in Tonga’s Ha'apai Islands, concerns are held by families for the well being of the communities that live on low lying outer islands, as aerial pictures continue to come in showing extensive damage to homes and villages. The organisers of the recovery effort, hampered by communications problems, are finding it hard to assess the needs priorities. Flights to Ha‘apai are expected to resume on Monday.

One person died on LIfuka as Tropical Cyclone Ian Category 5 ripped through the Ha‘apai Islands yesterday afternoon, causing extensive devastation, although the full extent of the impact on the low lying islands is unknown in Tonga's first recorded Category 5 cyclone. In Lifuka most houses were flattened or damaged and people sheltered in the churches and other community buildings.

King Tupou VI opened Foa's upgraded causeway linking Foa island to the main island of Lifuka in Ha’apai yesterday December 19.

A 42-feet aluminium yacht was towed into Neiafu port last week after it was caught on a reef about four miles off Hunga Island, Vava‘u. A Canadian couple on board were rescued.