Blue Pacific solidarity as Forum donates to Tong ^Featured

Hon Hu’akavameiliku today accepted a total of FJD$38,000 from the Forum Secretary General Henry Puna in a special zoom call from Suva, Fiji, as part of the “Blue Pacific Tonga Appeal”.

The funds were raised by the Secretariat through salary deductions, direct deposits, walkathon and bikeathons, involving the staff of the Secretariat staff, staff of the Pacific Aviation Safety Office and the Pacific Islands Forum Fisheries Agency. "I am grateful to the Secretariat and Pacific Island Countries who have come to our assistance during our time of need.

This shows Pacific Solidarity at its best and we understand that we are all facing the current challenge of COVID-19 in our different countries,” the Hon Hu’akavameiliku said.

"And to come to our aid during this time is much appreciated. I extend Government's best wishes and gratitude.

" Secretary General Puna in presenting the funds conveyed to Prime Minister Hon. Hu’akavameiliku love and best wishes to the government and people of Tonga. “We are one family united by the Blue Pacific. When a member faces adversity, our deep rooted ties and traditions require us to help one another without hesitation and with much love.

We are in this together.” Tonga suffered extensive damage caused by the Hunga-Tonga-Hunga-Haapai volcano and the ensuing tsunami that hit parts of the Ha’apai Island Group, ‘Eua, ‘Atata, Fafa and parts of Tongatapu.

Forum Secretary General Puna launched a fundraising appeal on January 24, 2022 to help Tonga’s recovery from the eruption and tsunami. That appeal was received by a number of Pacific Forum countries, who joined major partners and donor countries in responding immediately.

This included Fiji, French Polynesia, New Caledonia, Samoa, Tuvalu and Papua New Guinea. The Solomon Island sent a letter of Solidarity and Sympathy to the Government.

Relief assistance

Fiji sent through 240 ton of emergency relief assistance on the Lomaiviti Princess, including assistance from the Fiji Tongan Community and Fijian Friends of Tonga at the end of January. A second shipment of assistance has also arrived on the local vessel MV Taka-i-Pomana from Suva last week.

A contingent from the Republic of Fiji Military Forces Engineering Unit is currently working with members of the Australia Defence Forces in cleaning up the affected islands of ‘Atata and Nomuka. French Polynesia sent in the Tahiti Nui from Papeete in late January with water storage tanks and other material as part of an international relief effort.

The French Polynesian government worked with the Tongan community to collect assistance, which included wood and tarpaulins to help build temporary accommodation for families and support reconstruction, clothes, sanitary products and non-perishable foodstuffs.

French Polynesian President Edouard Fritch said the outpouring of solidarity that characterised Pacific peoples had not failed its reputation for generosity in the most difficult situation. The French military had earlier sent a patrol boat with 40 tonnes of supplies from French Polynesia and another one with 10 tonnes from New Caledonia.

Monetary

The governments of French Polynesia and Tuvalu also donated financially towards Tonga’s response efforts, while the Samoan government had also indicated they were also looking at sending financial assistance. French Polynesia sent in US$100,000 and Tuvalu AU$100,000. -ENDS-