Australia's Foreign Affairs Minister Hon Julie Bishop visited Tonga today and announced that her Government would contribute AUD$10.5 million towards Tonga's recovery from Cyclone Gita. Hon Bishop was accompaned by her fellow Minister for International Development, Senator Hon Concetta Fierravanti-Wells.

The two met with Prime Minister ‘Akilisi Pohiva and his cabinet ministers before visiting stakeholders involved in recovery relief efforts.

Hon Bishop said that the new funding tops up existing Australian aid and will cover education, community infrastructure, livelihood support and food security. 

“Our initial response package was about AUD$3.5 million", Hon Bishop stated.

"Today we met with the Tongan PM and Cabinet and we talked about reconstruction efforts required to build those communities that have been devastated by the cyclone.”

“I promised the Prime Minister that Australia would increase our assistance by a further AUD$10.5 million bringing it to a total of AUD$14 million, our contribution to your recovery efforts.”

The Australian ministers visited the Vaini Village Health Clinic, the National Emergency Management Office (NEMO) and greeted NGOs at the Tatakamotonga Town Hall where they were entertained by singing and tau’olunga dancing.

Their final stop was at Navutoka where Hon Bishop inspected a generator donated by Australia. The generator provided emergency power to Navutoka following the cyclone.

According to the Australian Government, its initial funding package following Cyclone Gita provided over 135 tonnes in  humanitarian supplies. Australian electrical lines technicians were also flown in to help Tonga Power, as well as the donation of five generators and cash assistance to elderly people and people living with disability.