Tonga government pays tribute to Australian assistance ^Featured

The Deputy Prime Minister, Honourable Poasi Tei, thanked the Australian High Commissioner, Her Excellency Rachael Moore and the Commander of the HMAS Canberra, Captain Jace Hutchison at the farewell event held at Vuna Wharf on Wednesday, March 16.

The Hon Tei stated that the partnership and assistance given by Tonga’s friends like Australia helped in making Tonga a resilient country. “Your assistance in surveying affected areas, assisting with airlifting and carrying supplies to the islands and cleaning up islands and villages that were affected will be a milestone in the recovery plan,”

Hon Tei stated. Australia was an early respondent to the events just over two months ago and sent in the HMAS Adelaide and the HMAS Supply to assist. The HMAS Canberra was sent in to replace the HMAS Adelaide three weeks ago.

Both the HMAS Adelaide and the HMAS Canberra are landing helicopter dock ships of the Royal Australian Navy. The two and the HMAS Supply brought in supplies, including water tanks, building materials and communication equipment.

Helicopters and landing vessels that the ships brought were used in survey works, delivery of supplies and transporting government teams to devastated villages and islands.

Immediate assistance were also flown in by the Royal Australia Air Force, totaling 110 tonnes of supplies. T

he Australian personnel were joined on the ‘Tonga Assist’ operation by members of the Republic of Fiji Military Forces Engineering Unit and the French Defence Forces of New Caledonia.

High Commissioner Rachael Moore said the Australian team were proud to have contributed to the communities impacted by the disasters. 

She stated that Australia was grateful for the leadership of the Government of Tonga, the assistance from the Ministry of MEIDECC and His Majesty’s Armed Forces (HMAF), the invaluable guidance from NEMO, and the significant support provided by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

She also acknowledged the assistance from the Ministry of Health “which has ensured all of our support was carried out in a COVID safe way”. “We look forward to continuing to work closely with your Government on your response and recovery,” she stated.

Members of the RFMF unit left for Fiji last night, while the French contingent departs today. The HMAS Canberra will sail on Friday but her crew are continuing to work until they depart.

Disaster Relief and Recovery

The HMAS Adelaide and HMAS Canberra brought in immediate supplies, including 150 tonnes of building materials and reconstruction supplies. Delivery of 110 tonnes of supplies were brought in by the RAAF in over 20 flights. The three RAF vessels assisted in the distribution of supplies to Nomuka, Tungua, Kotu and Fonoifua Islands in Ha’apai.

The HMAS Canberra assisted in the delivery of six donated fishing boats to the Ha’apai Group (Pangai and Nomuka), delivery of tractor and plow to Nomuka Island, delivery of eight tonnes of agricultural starter stock, farming supplies and gifting of 8,000 litres of diesel fuel to the islands of Tungua, Kotu and Fonoifua.

The vessel also helped in the delivery of four pallets of Palace Office supplies to Fonoifua Island and eight pallets of supplies to Nomuka Island.

Communications Network Recovery

Special helicopter flights were made to help support Digicel teams repair the Eua communications tower (underway today 16 March), the Late Island (Va’vau Group) communications tower and the Ha’apai Group communications tower on Kao.

Engineering Improvements

The ‘Pacific Family’ team of Australia, Fiji and French New Caledonia worked on basic repair and debris clearance on Atata Island, survey of ‘Eua harbor, debris clearance on Pangaimotu and Fafa Islands, debris clearance on Nomuka Island and development of trafficable road on Nomuka Island for plantation access.

The teams also carried out minor repairs to local schools andcommunity buildings through developing of guttering, potable water storage and repairs to walls on Nomuka, Tungua, Kotu and Fonoifua.

They also carried out minor repairs to local vehicles, tractors and chainsaws, repairs to community solar power stations and systems plus carry out infrastructure damage assessment and engineering advice to enable future recovery support.

Community, health and wellbeing

As part of the assistance to health, community and wellbeing the delivery of 300 dignity kits were made to the Ha’apai Group.

The Australian team also supported the transportation and rotation of Ministry of Heath COVID-19 vaccination teams across the Ha’apai Island Group of Nomuka, Tungua, Kotu, Fonoifua, Fotuha’a, Mo’unga’one and Ha’afeva.  

Support was also given to Tongan religious services via Sunday Radio Sermons, support to community resilience through localised sermons and chaplaincy support and the implementation of DART asbestos training to Town Officers in Nomuka and Fonoifua Islands, including gifting of PPEs.

The HMAS Canberra also donated two compacting machines to assist with the compacting of plastic water bottles. This was received by the Hon Deputy Prime Minister on behalf of the ‘No Pelesitiki Campaign’.

Government tours

Assistance was given in transporting the Prime Minister, Hon Hu’akavameiliku, Cabinet Ministers and government team members to visit Nomuka Island. Special flights were also done for senior government officials to visit Nomuka and Tungua Islands and enabled NEMO reconnaissance of Nomuka, Tungua and Fonoifua Islands.