Photos courtesy Poli Kefu, Tonga Red Cross

The Ministry of Infrastructure has stopped the Tonga Red Cross from constructing temporary shelters for families in Ha‘apai after Tropical Cyclone Ian devastated the islands in January.

Government wanted the rebuilding of houses in Ha‘apai to be carried out at one time, Parliament was told this week.

Meanwhile, the Tonga Red Cross handed over transitional shelters to two families on cyclone-devastated Mo‘unga‘one Island in Ha‘apai. The Red Cross had hoped to build another 24 shelters to alleviate the suffering until all the families were able to rebuild permanent houses.

The families of Sami Fehu‘i and Matoto Mosa‘ati are the first on Mo‘unga‘one to receive transitional shelter after Cyclone Ian severely hit the island, destroying most of its homes. They were presented the keys to the shelters on April 2 by the chairperson of the Tonga Red Cross, Hon. Alaileula Tuku‘aho, and Hon. Salote Maumautaimi Tuku‘aho

The two families were selected according to their vulnerabilities of having members who were disabled and elderly.

Tonga Red Cross Secretary-General Sione Taumoefolau at the event said it is their mandate to alleviate human suffering after any disaster.

“There were hurdles when implementing this project, collaboration with external donors and town officers made it easier. Tonga Red Cross have built these two transitional houses as a pilot project to find out the logistical challenge of transporting materials, the cost involved and the human resources involved to make these transitional shelters happen.”

He had hoped more of the transitional core shelter would be built in Ha‘apai to ensure people would be safe and secure until they were able to rebuild permanent homes. 

“The target for Mo‘unga‘one is to build another 24 houses - this is on the plan of the Tonga Red Cross,” he said.

A beneficiary of the project, Mr. Ofa Mosa’ati was grateful to the Red Cross “If it wasn’t for Red Cross we would not have a safe shelter for me and my family after Cyclone Ian, my wife has disabilities and this is helpful and a relief to us,” he said.

In addition, district and town officers were given 18 portable radios with batteries to listen to early weather warnings and get updated news and information.