Hundreds of vulnerable homes repaired after cyclone [1]
Friday, August 6, 2021 - 19:20
Two hundred homes on 'Eua and Tongatapu have been repaired in a Manaaki Shelter Resilience Project funded by the New Zealand Government.
The NZD$2.1million project over two years was led by Caritas Tonga in partnership with Habitat for Humanity New Zealand, and focused on alleviating housing poverty in Tonga.
The project included a shelter-focused disaster response to damage caused by Tropical Cyclone Harold in 2020.
To mark the completion of the project, a Certificate of Presentation for builders was held today, with the New Zealand High Commissioner HE Tiffany Babington and HE Cardinal Mafi present, at Toutaimana.
Vulnerable homes
New Country Director for Caritas Tonga, Suliana Falemaka said this project had its challenges, which included adverse weather conditions.
When the work was done in ‘Eua, the materials had to be transported by ferry and there were delays due to rough seas, she said.
"Despite this, the project has helped the most vulnerable homes both in Tongatapu and ‘Eua to have stronger homes and have basic access to hygiene and sanitation."
Alan Thorp, Group CEO for Habitat for Humanity New Zealand commended the completion of the project.
"Habitat’s vision is a world where everyone has a decent place to live. Through the strength of our local partner, Caritas Tonga and our shared hopes to improve housing in Tonga, we have achieved another key milestone for Tongan families."
At the same, one of the families from Houma in ‘Eua, ‘Ana and Sili Fataki who have three children expressed their gratitude for this project.
'Ana said their family was very happy and grateful for this opportunity to have a proper toilet, for their family. Their source of money is from the plantation.
Home repairs
After the devastating impact of Tropical Cyclone Gita in February 2018, HFHNZ and Caritas Tonga jointly undertook home repair program for over 300 homes, under a New Zealand Government Disaster Response Program (NZ DRP) from 2018-2019.
This incorporated Build Back Safer awareness (BBS) training (delivered post-disaster) which was designed to accompany the repair programme and gave communities simple techniques to build back safer.
Caritas Tonga said a second stage repair program started in September 2019 with 25 repairs focused on higher needs households.
This model then continued to be used into the Manaaki shelter program, which involved fixing of roofs, repairing homes and installation of toilets. It started in February this year, where it covered 134 homes in Tongatapu by June this year, followed by the ‘Eua repair project that saw a further 66 homes benefit from the project.
The work was carried out within four-weeks and included an overall of 13 minor repairs: 53 major repairs and 44 installation of new toilets in a total of 12 villages in ‘Eua.
The Manaaki project on Tongatapu and ‘Eua had a team of 12 builders who undertook the work with oversight and support from the Caritas office and Habitat for Humanity New Zealand.
Resilient families
Caritas Tonga said this program also runs training for Safe Shelter Awareness (PASSA) and Build Back Safer (BBS).
“We will continue to work closely with Habitat for Humanity New Zealand (HFHNZ) and is currently planning for the next work phase, which will continue the work started through the Manaaki project over the next five-years,” they said.