By Eleanor Gee

Almost 200 boats were damaged by the tsunamis generated by the volcanic eruption on January 15, the Prime Minister Hon Siaosi Sovaleni said on Friday, Feb. 17.

Boats are essential for fishing to feed families, especially on remote islands, and for transporting villagers.

The Prime Minister said that they could not replace all 200 boats. “All we can do is provide some boats to assist in the recovery of those areas that were greatly affected by the tsunamis, and then go from there”.

“We have to look at everything and decide what is the best support for each town and do something regarding that."

“We’re trying to get one or two boats per community to start with.”

“And one boat can take four or five people fishing.”

New boats

The Prime Minister said that while there are no aid funds specifically for boats, there is support coming in.

“Pita [Taufatofua] has organized 10 boats. And Graeme Hart from New Zealand is also sending boats and other supplies.”

“This will assist people’s livelihoods.”

Pita Taufatofua is Tonga’s famous Olympic flagbearer who has raised over AUD$800,000 so far via a GoFundMe [2] page, where he has already helped to organize containers packed with food from Fiji and Auckland to Tonga. The boats he has ordered for Tonga are being made in Fiji.

Graeme Hart is reported to be New Zealand’s richest man, who is donating 30 fishing boats (20 ordered from Fiji and 10 from New Caledonia), eight new tractors and containers full of breakfast food, according to New Zealand’s Stuff [3] media.

There have been lots of fundraising events organized overseas in support of Tonga’s recovery efforts.