Support for the Tonga Medical Laboratory Workforce

Dear colleagues, friends and family,

As you would be aware, the powerful underwater volcano eruption in Tonga on 15 January 2022, caused widespread devastation of homes and services in Tonga, affecting 84% of the resident population.

We are humbly requesting donations that will be paid directly to each of the medical laboratory staff members employed by the Tongan Ministry of Health in Tonga. A total of 42 staff members work in the laboratory workforce across Tongatapu, Ha'apai, Eu'a, and Vava'u. This will allow the laboratory staff to support their families and deal with the destruction and debris caused to their family homes, allowing them to recover quickly so that they can return to work, and continue to support the medical services in Tonga.

The funds will be dispersed to Dr. Luke Huni, Trainee Pathologist who will distribute these to each of the laboratory staff.

Our thoughts are with the people of Tonga and their family and friends around the world at this difficult time, and applaud the medical staff for returning to work to support the health response of their government.

Current updates as taken from the Council for International Developments:

The official fatality number remains at three.

The Tonga Government has reported that 85,000 people (84% of their population) are

affected, including 36,500 children.

There have been reports of diarrhoea in both adults and children on Nomuka, Ha’apai.

A Seasprite Helicopter reconnaissance operation transported Digicel technicians to Kau Island.

There are currently no further adverse weather warnings in the region.

Clean water has been the most expressed need.

Government of Tonga updates

The Tonga Government has declared a State of Emergency until 13 February 2022

The Tonga Police deployment team is awaiting transportation to be confirmed to deploy to Ha’apai to aid Pangai and Nomuka Island.

Humanitarian response

New Zealand relief supplies from the initial C-130 flight were released following the completion of 72 hours quarantine.

The relief supplies which arrived on the HMNZS Aotearoa are expected to be released soon.

MFAT is in close contact with Air New Zealand for a possible cargo and passenger flight to take place within this week. Tongan authorities remain vigilant to receive inbound passengers due to the elevated Covid risk.

Chinese Ambassador to Tonga hosted a gifting ceremony last week. China provided USD 100,000 in funding to the Government of Tonga and food supplies to the value of TOP 100,000. A further chartered relief supply flight is due to arrive in Tonga this week carrying equipment for shelter and communication, power generators and PPE.