Tonga is a Polynesian kingdom of more than 170 South Pacific islands, many of them uninhabited. It lies within the Ring of Fire where intense seismic activities occur.
The economy of Tonga is highly dependent on climate sensitive sectors such agriculture, fisheries and tourism. Extreme weather events and climate change can have a significant impact on these sectors and affect sources of income.
Tonga is a Polynesian kingdom of more than 170 South Pacific islands, many of them uninhabited. It lies within the Ring of Fire where intense seismic activities occur.
The economy of Tonga is highly dependent on climate sensitive sectors such agriculture, fisheries and tourism. Extreme weather events and climate change can have a significant impact on these sectors and affect sources of income.
The Hunga-Tonga-Hunga-Ha’apai volcanic eruption affected more than 84% of Tonga’s population. We are working with Caritas Tonga to help communities recover from the disaster through psychosocial support and the construction of an evacuation centre and warehouse for future emergencies.
Families are resilient and prepared for future disasters.
Traumatised families can receive psychosocial support.
A warehouse can be constructed to house essential supplies for future emergencies.
A new evacuation centre will ensure that community members have a safe shelter during times of disasters.
60-year-old Tupou is one of the thousands of people affected by the volcano and tsunami eruption in 2022. She lives in Tonga with her husband, son, daughter, son-in-law and grandson on a street back from the beach. Tupou was eagerly anticipating the impending birth of her grandson when the volcano erupted.
On the day of the eruption, she heard loud booms like cannons coming from out at sea and she was extremely frightened. The Hunga Ha’apai volcano that has been smoking for days, was now spewing great amounts of smoke.
In the immediate aftermath of the disaster, Caritas Tonga supported Tupou with water purifying tablets, blankets, food and other essential supplies after the disaster to help recover from the disaster.
Tupou was also supported with psychosocial support to prepare and be ready for future disasters. A trained professional counsellor helped Tupou and her community deal with the trauma of the tsunami and also to prepare for any other disasters. She has realised how underprepared she was – both psychologically and physically. And this is the same for much of Tonga. They are a country traumatised and scared – the support is so needed.
I now feel better prepared mentally, physically and spiritually.
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