Under a joint operation by the armed forces of Tonga, New Zealand and France, tons of New Zealand gifted cyclone relief supplies have been ferried overnight to Pangai and also by three flights made by a French aircraft to Lifuka today, in a major effort to supply drinking water, shelter and other goods to the areas that were devasted by Cyclone Ian on January 11.

A second load of relief supplies is expected to arrive from New Zealand over the weekend and a French airforce CASA will continue its rotation flights between Tongatapu and Lifuka carrying cargo and personnel.

The Honorary French Consul to Tonga, Tupou Pasikala Fiu, making her first visit to Ha‘apai after Cyclone Ian today, said that a man had died in Pangai this afternoon, after suffering from chest pains. The French aircraft would bring his widow and children over from Tongatapu to Ha‘apai tomorrow for the funeral. The man had come from Tongatapu to spend Christmas in Ha‘apai.

Tupou visted the devastated areas of Ha‘apai with the French crew, including a French attache, an engineer and a doctor.

“When you see the reality, it really just hits you - it's so faka‘ofa that I almost could not believe it. But I admire the people for getting on with their lives. They are not sitting around – the women are doing their work drying pandanus for their weaving and tutu.”

She said the water system was not yet running.

“They are also looking at old wells to see if they can clean them out. Some wells have not been used for 10 years since they had taps,” she said.

New Zealand support

HE Mr Mark Talbot, Fua‘amotu Airport, Tonga, 17 January 2014.

The New Zealand High commissioner to Tonga HE Mr Mark Talbot, told Matangi Tonga that he had visited Ha‘apai on Monday and fresh water was a problem that New Zealand is helping out with.

“I am really impressed with the way the people up there have a stiff upper lip but the devastation is incredible. 70-80 percent of buildings have been demolished, and fresh drinking water is becoming an increasing problem.... We expect that problems like food and sanitation will take time to deal with.” he said.

The High Commissioner was at Fua‘amotu Airport yesterday for the arrival of a C-130 Hercules from Whenuapai in New Zealand, bringing in relief supplies at request of Government of Tonga.

“Most of what’s been brought in is tents and other shelter equipment but we also have some basic tools to help people to begin work on erecting temporary shelters and mending things,” he said. The C-130 Hercules brought water tanks for assembly in Ha‘apai and provisions of fresh water.

Fund opened

“The Minister for Foreign Affairs Hon. Murray McCully announced today that New Zealand would be opening a fund in order that non-government organisations will be able to bid in order to provide relief and recovery effort for the people of Ha‘apai,” the High Commissioner said.

The New Zealand Defence Force was working in a joint operation together with the Tongan military HMAF, and the French armed forces to move the supplies quickly on a Tongan navy patrol boat, the domestic ferry MV ‘Otuanga‘ofa, as well as a French aircraft that arrived yesterday from New Caledonia.

“We are hoping that supplies will have arrived in Pangai by daybreak [Saturday],” he said.

A New Zealand P3 Orion did aerial surveillance last Sunday at the request of the Tonga Government.

“On Wednesday the Deputy PM rang to request emergency assistance with shelter and we were very pleased able to deliver on that request within 48 hours and I think it shows a great relationship between our two governments.

“The New Zealand Government's and New Zealand people’s thoughts really are with the people of Ha‘apai at the moment. The Government of Tonga is doing a fantastic job in responding and we are really pleased to be able to work along side them and respond to small areas of assistance where they request support like these shelter kits. We want to help in whatever way we can,” Mr Talbot said.

Tents

Leveni Aho. Fua‘amotu Airport, Tonga, 17 January 2014.

Tonga's Director of Emergency Management, Leveni Aho, said yesterday that Tonga really appreciated the support that was coming from New Zealand.

“We still need tents in the Ha‘apai islands, particularly in the affected areas namely Ha‘ano, Foa, Lifuka and Mounga‘one and Uiha as well.

“Unfortunately the C-130 cannot land at Ha‘apai airport,” he said. “So the tents will go there on ferry and we will be distributing later tomorrow or on Sunday to affected people in Ha‘apai,” he said. “That's were we very much appreciate New Zealand support.”

The relief supplies and personnel would also be carried by the French aircraft throughout Saturday and Sunday. The  aircraft has a capacity of  3-4 tons and it was a 30 minute flight over to Lifuka from Tongatapu, he said.

Leveni said that Cyclone Ian’s destructive path on January 11had not affected all of the population of Ha‘apai. “Only a narrow strip, actually less than 5% of Tonga was affected in this event,” he said.