Water, Shelter And Food Main Needs In Tonga
Disaster assessment teams in Tonga say water, shelter and food are the immediate needs for people still reeling from the destruction brought by Tropical Cyclone Gita on Monday night. Local and international NGOs are working with the National Emergency Management Office (NEMO) to try and gauge the extent of the damage on the main island of Tongatapu, which hosts the capital Nuku’alofa and the nearby island of Eua.
On Tongatapu, the Category four cyclone brought winds of over 233km/h, which ripped roofs off houses, brought down trees, destroyed a Catholic church, and took the Tongan Met Office and the national radio station off line.
Tonga’s Red Cross said the level of damage to crops, homes, vegetation and infrastructure was extremely high following the cyclone. Spokesperson Polikalepo Kefu said three teams from the Red Cross had been assessing different areas of Tonga and information was still being collated. He said some people were still in evacuation centres but many had returned to their homes to assess damage and begin repairs to their roofs.
There had been a few people with injuries taken to hospital from ‘Eua Island but he has not heard confirmation of any deaths, Mr Kefu said. Many people were shocked and traumatised by the scale of Monday night’s weather, he said.
Mr Kefu said it was vital for people to begin repairs and try to clear up excess water to avoid an escalation of the dengue fever outbreak with the potential for mosquitos to breed in pooling rain water. Meanwhile, a former government minister in Tonga said almost all the crops on the island of ‘Eua had been destroyed due to the cyclone. The category four storm went almost directly over ‘Eua which lies just south east of the main island of Tongatapu.
Former ‘Eua MP Sunia Fili said the storm had dealt a huge blow to the local agricultural sector. “The kava, the cassava and yam too, all the crops near town. Also the breadfruit around in town and the town hall was down and also many small houses. Only the new houses were good but many families are in a very bad situation.” Mr Fili said he had never experienced a storm of such intensity.
Local communities ‘devastated’
Local youth worker Vanessa Helot said people in the communities she had visited were absolutely devastated by the damage and destruction to their homes.
“We are seeing shops that the rooftops have been uprooted; all their goods are exposed. We are seeing floods and also a lot of branches and a lot of electric lines. We have talked to some women this morning (yesterday) - their priorities are water, blankets and food.”
She said it would have a huge impact on people’s lives in Tonga.
“It is a big issue because this is their livelihood and it is like we have to start all over again. There is no electricity, there is no water. Not everyone has water tanks [or] has fresh water.” Nuku’alofa resident Joshua Saveeti described the scene as people in his neighbourhood emerged from their shelters, after what he said was a terrifying night.
“A neighbour just a few houses down, the roof went off, the walls are gone, and all that is left standing there is just all of their furniture and their things.”
The family had evacuated earlier in the day, he said.
All airports in Tonga closed
All airports in Tonga are currently closed due to damage and disruption following TC Gita. The owner of Real Tonga Airways said there was no power at Fua’amotu International Airport on Tongatapu, where the airport buildings have sustained some damage and there is significant flooding.
Tevita Palu said he hoped the airport may reopen later tomorrow but there is major damage all around Tongatapu with trees down, roofs missing and a lot of debris. New Zealand’s Safe Travel website said international flights to Tonga and Fiji were likely to be disrupted and travellers are advised to check details with their airline and register with the Safe Travel website.
Emergency services struggling
Tonga’s emergency services said they were struggling to get out and assess the damage after Gita left a trail of destruction.
Roads all over Tongatapu are blocked by debris and downed power lines are hampering relief efforts. NEMO staff said a full assessment of the damage may not be available until today.
There are unconfirmed reports two people have died. Emergency services and His Majesty’s Armed Forces headed out to assess the damage yesterday.
NEMO spokesperson Graham Kenna said the capital Nuku’alofa had been severely damaged.
“I’ve been involved in disaster responses for 30-plus years and it’s the worst situation I have been in.” There had been major destruction, Mr Kenna said.
“A lot of the landmark buildings are extremely badly damaged or even destroyed, the landmark tree ... near the palace, has been been destroyed.
“It’s quite a bad situation.”
NZ govt to provide funds for cyclone relief
The New Zealand government has pledged NZ$750,000 to assist rescue and relief operations in Tonga.
“So really it’s just a matter of hearing from the Tongan government about what their needs are, and we will be ready to deploy,” PM Jacinda Ardern said.
The aim was to make sure there was no hold up from the New Zealand end, she said.