Tonga: A year after the earthquake and tsunami, homes are being rebuilt

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NUKUALAFA/SUVA, January 13, 2023 – A year after the devastating earthquake and tsunami cut off Tonga from the rest of the world, homes are being rebuilt for more than 200 displaced families.

The complex process of rebuilding shattered communities, devastated by the triple disasters of the volcano, its resulting tsunami and then the first wave of the COVID pandemic, involved cleaning up water supplies contaminated by ash, re-establishing lost livelihoods and providing cash assistance to people with disabilities and those displaced from their damaged homes.

The Tonga Red Cross Society is working with a variety of partners – including the Tongan government to support displaced families, and some – a year later are still seeking shelter with families, friends and in church halls.

The Secretary-General of the Tonga Red Cross Society, Sioni Taumovulao, said:

“The disaster continues to make itself felt in the lives of all of us in Tonga, particularly those on the outer islands, as it has flattened communities and destroyed fragile livelihoods.

“We must continue to strengthen our efforts to help the most vulnerable among us, many of whom are still homeless.

“Working alongside our Red Cross partners, we are determined to stand with the most affected communities as they embark on the long process of rebuilding their lives.”

The Tonga Red Cross is distributing cash vouchers to help the most affected families in both Tongatapu and the outer island groups of Ha’apai and ‘Eua. The teams also work with a variety of stakeholder groups to help people with disabilities, including families and students at the Ofa Tui Moe Amanaki Disability School.

In an innovative pilot project for the Tonga Red Cross working alongside the government and the Nomuka community, the cash-for-work project saw the provision of equipment and financial support to help community members clean up debris from a freshwater lagoon. Prioritizing access to clean and safe drinking water, the Red Cross has also undertaken a number of water projects, including the installation of water filters in affected communities.

The Tonga Red Cross is also providing much needed psychological first aid training, and as a result – only now, a year later, are people talking more freely about the events of that day and revealing some of the trauma they felt and how they coped.

IFRC Head of Pacific Office Katie Greenwood said:

A disaster of this scale requires coordinated efforts between local, national and international actors. Our Red Cross partners have been an important part of this, coordinating closely with response and recovery efforts at the community level.

“Given the scale of this disaster, it will take some time to rebuild and get things back to normal. The International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies will be there with the Tongan Red Cross every step of the way.”

For more information or to arrange an informational interview, contact:

In Suva: Soneel Ram, +679 9983688, [email protected]

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