"Let's work together to build the country," urges King Tupou VI [1]
Thursday, February 15, 2018 - 23:05. Updated on Thursday, February 15, 2018 - 23:13.
Photos by Pesi Fonua
King Tupou VI urged Tongans to work with a cooperative spirit to rebuild their country after Cyclone Gita, in an address to the nation this evening, particularly mentioning the people of the worst-hit islands of Tongatapu and 'Eua.
The first assistance to any hardship that happens in our country should come from us, he said. "We are not waiting for assistance to come, but we stand up to save a life and clear the roads for the assistance to get where it is needed."
In an address in Tongan, recorded at the Royal Palace in Nuku'alofa, the King believed the cyclonic destruction had also collapsed the dividing barriers between people, referring to the Tongan traditional values of ‘Ofa and fetokoni'aki (love and helping each other).
"Let's work together to build our country, a lot can be achieved if we work together. Make use of the opportunity that we have life to do useful work for our country," he said.
"We have heard of the arrival of the first assistance from foreign countries for the beginning of our recovery. So there is still a urgent need for us to work with a cooperative spirit among government ministries, in order for the assistance to first reach those who have been directly hit and intensely, with that assistance."
Visits
King Tupou VI said that he had personally visited the Eastern District yesterday, and again today going out to visit the Western district, Popua and Patangata, and Nuku‘alofa to witness the consequences of the cyclone.
"Normally, I hear of reports of the prospect of a strong wind, and its consequences, but I did not. So I was waiting for an opportunity to visit and see for myself what had happened," the king explained.
He was thankful there was no large loss of life despite the destruction of residential houses, commercial buildings, and agricultural crops.
"What is clear to me that the obedience and the cooperation of the people, the spirit of being obedient to instructions given by working bodies, helped reduce the destruction and the damage that could have taken place."
‘Ofa is a precious wealth," he said in asserting the values of endurance, cool manners, and selflessness, without seeking publicity.
"Our religious belief has been challenged during this time of hardship. I saw it with my own eyes, sadness, and hopeless, lost all and no refuge, but the writer of the Psalm, that 'god is our shelter', to help us in time of sadness is close nearby.
The secret of a good heart is forgiveness, the King said.