A container of relief packages and food items for families in Tongatapu and ‘Eua who were affected by Cyclone Gita in February were handed over by Sela Tukia from the Tonga Consul General Office, San Francisco, USA to representatives of the residents of Siesia and Popua in eastern Nuku’alofa yesterday afternoon 29 May.

The relief items were donated by San Francisco Tongan Interfaith group, which is made up of the Church of Jesus Christ and Latter Day Saints California East Stake and Danville Take, the Fale Hufanga and San Bruno First Tongan United Methodist Churches, and the Tongan Catholic USA Chaplaincy.

Sela, a member of the San Francisco Tongan Interfaith Group was entrusted with the task of making sure that their donations are distributed to the needy people of Tongatapu and ‘Eua.

The relief packages and food items are make up of tinned fish, mini sausages, trays of noodles, water bottles, toilet paper and sacks of flour, rice and sugar.

Over three days, 29-31 May, relief packages and food items will be distributed to residents of Patangata, Siesia, Kolofo’ou, Kolomotu’a, Sopu, and also ‘Eua.

Duty free policy

Meanwhile, the Ministry of Revenue and Customs estimated that by the end of May, $2 million pa’anga worth of clothes and food items for victims of Cyclone Gita has been allowed into the country Duty Free. However this Duty Free allowance policy will end on 30 August.

Meanwhile, imported construction materials and the replacement of household furniture will remain duty free for two years from when Cyclone Gita struck on 12 February 2018.