Australian Tongan community raises over $1.23 million pa'anga relief funds [1]
Wednesday, January 4, 2023 - 22:02. Updated on Wednesday, January 4, 2023 - 22:08.
A cash donation amounting to over $1.2 million given by Australians, was officially presented to Tonga's Prime Minister Hon. Hu'akavameiliku, by Princess Angelika Latufuipeka Tuku'aho this morning.
The funds were raised in response to calls for assistance following the January 15, 2022 volcanic eruption and tsunami in Tonga.
The Prime Minister's Office stated that: “collectively with donated goods specifically requested by Tonga, the total amount from all substantive donors in Australia was in excess of AUD5 million.”
The Princess, as Tonga’s High Commissioner to Australia, officially handed over a cheque for $1,232,086.20 pa‘anga to Hon. Hu'akavameiliku at the Prime Minister’s Office.
HE Rachael Moore, High Commissioner of Australia to Tonga, was also present.
The funds were raised by the Tonga High Commission, Tonga Consul General’s Office and Pilie-tauhala Tongan Community Committees in Australia, with donations from businesses, schools, hospitals, companies, rugby clubs, kava clubs, individuals, states, mayors, and local governments, such as the ACT government, Northern Territory government and the Liverpool Council.
In addition, funds were also received from the following Diplomatic Missions in Canberra: Austria, Cambodia, Cyprus, Czech Republic, Fiji, Kosovo, Malaysia, Mauritius, Myanmar, Philippines, Slovakia, Thailand, and Venezuela, in support of the Fakalikutonga Relief Fund.
Meanwhile, Australia, China, France, Japan, and Singapore as the Kingdom of Tonga’s Development Partners had contributed directly to Nuku’alofa.
The PMO stated that fund-raising was significantly supported by Swire Shipping and the logistic company, Vanguard, to ensure 45 containers were swiftly transported to NEMO (National Emergency Management Office), Her Majesty’s Charity, villages, clubs, churches, schools, and NGOs, such as the Tonga Red Cross.
The Prime Minister thanked the Princess and the donors “who assisted the Kingdom of Tonga’s Recovery Plan and commitment to improve its economic development.”