Emergency Recovery Kits donated by the Rotary Club were distributed to 'Eua island this week, following Severe Tropical Cyclone Harold, which caused extensive damage to the wharf and properties on the island on 9 April.

The kits hold essential items for households, such as knives, pots, tarps, candles, shoes, towels and other items.

Rotary provided 148 Emergency Kits to the Tonga National Emergency Management Office (NEMO) and 90 of the kits were distributed to 'Eua by MORDI Tonga (Mainstreaming of Rural Development Innovation) on April 15-16.

NEMO and MORDI conducted a needs assessment on Tongatapu and 'Eua following the cyclone. Ninety kits were taken by Navy boat to ‘Eua for distribution by MORDI with the District and Town Officers. Other distribution will be completed by the weekend.

Rotary

The Rotary Club of Nuku’alofa works with Rotary New Zealand World Community Service (RNZWCS) to ensure that Tonga has a supply of the Emergency Recovery Kits available for events like TC Harold.

Last time these were used were for Severe Tropical Cyclone Gita in February 2018. Since then two new containers have been put in place.

Stuart Batty, Executive Director of RNZWCS, stated that the experience around the Pacific during the past 35 years, showed how valuable the kits are to the recipients. Rapid distribution following such disasters helped fill an urgent gap, while longer term support was being mobilized.

Rotary Club of Nuku’alofa and RNZWC are working to have a replacement container in Tonga before the start of the next cyclone season.