FOOD is in short supply on Niuatoputapu following last month's tsunami that devastated the coastal areas, destroying many homes and fishing boats and nets, along with the pandanus trees which were the source of the islanders weaving income.

Laura Jeffrey on the island, reports that the initial food handouts by the government, the Red Cross, some churches and from visiting yachties, were gratefully received but are now largely depleted.

"Some families have a little flour and sugar left, but others have already used up theirs. And with other food resources, such as fishing and the bread fruit trees in the villages, hit by the tsunami, and with limited supplies in the shops, people are becoming heavily dependent on root crops from their plantations, some of which are running low, according to Taniela Hakaumotu, the Agriculture Officer here."

Laura reported that families who lost their homes are now resettling either with relatives or in tents provided by the government and the Red Cross. Many have settled in bush camps on higher ground, still fearing another tsunami.

"Some say they will eventually return to rebuild in their villages, others say they intend permanently to settle where they are."

Limited supplies

Tupou and Pohiva Manitisa, who run the main shop in Hihifo, were able to bring up limited supplies on the naval vessels but the relief trips were intended to bring up donations and gifts, rather than commercial goods. Most parcels sent up on the boats by relatives and well-wishers contained clothes, bedding and household items.

"The people are ok now with clothes," said Mafi Hua, the Tonga Development Bank's manager. "What they need most now is food and clean water for drinking. There's limited food now from the plantations, little food in the shops and only two fishing boats survived the tsunami without major damage. Most nets for fishing within the lagoon were destroyed and, anyway, many fishermen are too afraid to return to the sea so soon.

"We are lucky at the bank as our head office has been very generous in sending us up provisions, but we can't help but feel that we must share these out with those less fortunate than us."

Water a concern

Mafi said water remains a major concern for the island. Rainwater tanks were either destroyed or contaminated by the tsunami, and those remaining are largely depleted now because Niuatoputapu has not had much rain for the last two months. HMNZS Canterbury has been using its desalination equipment to produce drinking water from the sea but the ship leaves this week. "So people are now reliant on the island's tap water, which is being treated. However, the village pumps are old and unreliable and, with no spare, should one fail now the situation could be dire."

Weaving disrupted

Laura reported that another serious consequence of the tsunami is the disruption to the island's weaving industry; for most families their only source of income. "Niuatoputapu's economy is based on the women's groups who weave fine pandanus mats of the highest quality found in Tonga, which were sold in Nuku'alofa and abroad. But the tsunami has destroyed most of the pandanus trees, which were largely found on low ground near the shore, and it will take years to cultivate more."

The only other regular source of income on the island has been government employment for a few. Laura said that when reconstruction begins, funded by aid donors, it might bring some employment to men on the construction projects.