Pacific Humanitarian Team ready to help Ha‘apai [1]
Wednesday, January 15, 2014 - 18:00. Updated on Wednesday, January 15, 2014 - 21:54.
Koulo Town Officer surveys damage. Ha‘apai, Tonga, 13 January 2014.
A partnership of international humanitarian agencies known as the Pacific Humanitarian Team (PHT) has stated that it is ready to support Tonga’s recovery from Cyclone Ian.
The PHT is made of United Nation agencies, various regional, national and non-governmental organisations. It held a meeting with donor partners yesterday January 14 and stated that it is ready to meet any requests for assistance by the Tongan Government.
UN resident co-ordinator and co-chair of the PHT, Ms Obrat Lubrani stated yesterday “We extend our heartfelt solidarity with the people of Tonga and assure our readiness to support the response and early recovery process. Pacific Humanitarian Team partners stand ready to support the Government’s leadership in responding to this disaster.”
United Nation’s agency head, Mr Sune Gudnitz stated ““Using PHT resources is a more regional form of support and does not need to be activated through formal requests for international assistance,”
“The PHT belongs to national disaster management authorities across the Pacific region with whom we have a close relationship”.
Mr Gudnitz praised the efforts of the Tongan Government in its preparedness for the cyclone. “There has been a very low fatality rate and credit must be given to the government, village leaders and people of Tonga who know what to do during such events, which is what preparedness is all about.”