Tonga Recovery Fund

Background
The eruption of the Hunga-Tonga-Hunga-Ha’apai (HTHH) volcano on Saturday, 15 January 2022 resulted ash cloud reaching 15km and covering an area of 5km. It was followed by a tsunami with waves reaching up to 15 metres in some parts of Tonga. The Tonga National Emergency Response Office (NEMO) estimates the population affected by the volcanic eruption and ashfall to be 84,776 people (84 per cent of the population of Tongatapu, Ha’apai and ‘Eua. The most affected areas were the west coast of Tongatapu (districts of Kolovai, Nukunuku and Kolomatu’a), the Ha’apai island group and parts of the west coast of ‘Eua.

Initially, around 3,000 people were staying in evacuation centres, including some families evacuated islands in the Ha'apai island group. As at 10 March, NEMO reported that 46 households, who were displaced from villages on the Fonoifua, Nomuka, Kotu and Mango islands, remain on Tongatapu.

Both international and domestic telecommunications systems were significantly impacted by the eruption, although international telecommunications have largely been restored. The National Emergency Management Office is continuing to lead the volcano and tsunami response with support from other organisations including Tonga Red Cross.

COVID-19
As of 21 March, it has been reported that there have been 3,418 confirmed COVID-19 cases and two deaths in Tonga. Tonga is under a state of emergency for COVID-19, which is currently scheduled to continue until 10 April.

Following the significant number of new cases of COVID-19 during the past week, on 18 March, the government announced a lockdown for the period from 20 March to 26 March. All shops and businesses are required to close. People can access medical facilities and pharmacies.

Tonga Red Cross was previously granted an exemption which enabled it to continue emergency response activities during an earlier COVID lockdown. Tonga Red Cross staff and volunteers involved in community-based activities have been tested for COVID-19 regularly. To date, there have been no cases amongst Tonga Red Cross team members. However, the increase in cases in Tonga over the past week highlights the need for ongoing precautions. Non-essential Tonga Red Cross community- based emergency response activities have been suspended during this week's lockdown.

Tonga Red Cross has previously provided PPE and hand sanitiser to Tonga Police, and it is anticipated that there will be further need for COVID-19 supplies during the lockdown period.

Needs assessment and broader response
The Tongan National Emergency Management Office (NEMO), in conjunction with others, has
conducted Initial Damage Assessments (IDA). NEMO has reported that a total of 284 household shelters have been severely damaged or destroyed, while a further 182 household shelters have suffered minor or moderate damage.

The Government of Tonga's Recovery Plan, which focuses on housing recovery, food security, livelihoods, tourism and public infrastructure, has a budget of TOP 565.8 million. On 10 March, NEMO reported that rebuilding activities have commenced in Patangata, Sopu and 'Ahau on Tongatapu.

Since the eruption, NEMO has distributed over 1.4 million litres of drinking water, much of which has been desalinated by naval vessels in harbour. In addition, more than 150,000 litres of bottled drinking water have been distributed. Tonga Red Cross has supported some water distribution activities. Infrastructure damage has also impacted sanitation.

The tsunami resulted in standing water in some locations. Following reports of some cases of dengue in one area, the Ministry of Health has been spraying areas in targeted communities to reduce the risk of dengue fever.

Response to date
There has been further heavy rainfall over the past week. Tonga Red Cross has continued to assist
by providing tarpaulins (12), hygiene kits (4) and mosquito nets (2) as required.

The Red Cross Society of China has donated 3,000 family kits to Tonga Red Cross. During the week
of 14-19 March, staff and volunteers distributed 288 of these kits to families in Tongatapu and Siesia. Distribution in other locations is planned once the COVID situation permits.

Previously, Tonga Red Cross received donations of 3,000 buckets of breakfast crackers, which were shipped from Fiji. To date, more than 1,500 of these buckets have been distributed.

Red Cross staff and volunteers has previously planned to travel by boat to Fonoifua, Nomuku and Tungua islands to support assessments and provide affected families with distributions of water, food and non-food items. This activity was previously delayed by a storm and subsequently due to
COVID-19.

This week, 19 volunteers have supported the operation, both with activities on Tongatapu, and assisting with loading relief items for transport to the Ha'apai island group.

Tonga Red Cross accompanied the team, which enabled the Tonga Red Cross to gain a better understanding of the situation on ground ahead of the upcoming boat trip.

Tonga Red Cross staff and volunteers will continue to share messaging relating to COVID-19 prevention, including in regarding hand washing and social distancing. To date, posters in Tongan and English have been provided to 46 businesses/offices (90 locations).

Six Tonga Red Cross portable toilets remain in use in the Patangata community. The toilets are serviced by an external provider.

Tonga Red Cross has recruited a Volunteer Coordinator to assist with this response. A Disaster Manager has been deployed from IFRC Country Cluster Delegation Suva to also support the operation.

IFRC and Tonga Red Cross are continuing to engage with government authorities, INGOs with a presence in Tonga and are participating in the Pacific Humanitarian Team.