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Tonga Volcano Disaster: Help Our Village Rebuild

$7,400 of $20,000 goal

Given by 32 generous donors in 26 days

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Appeal to help Kolomotu'a Village rebuild from the Tongan volcano disaster

Auckland

Like many Tongan New Zealanders, I've been in a state of shock following the volcano eruption that has caused devastation in Tonga and sent shockwaves worldwide.

I have had no contact with my brother, niece, nephew or family who live at our family home located in the coastal village of Kolomotu'a.

The minimal updates from the international defence forces show areas blanketed with ash that have damaged crops and critical infrastructure is badly affected.

We fear there is no clean drinking water, limited access to basic food and essential supplies, and significant damage caused to crops and homes of many families in the village.

Rather than sitting back and waiting, I'm taking action to purchase and distribute much-needed supplies and essentials that will be shipped from New Zealand to Tonga as soon as possible, including:

- Food

- Clothing

- Tools and equipment

- Building materials

- Cooking and refrigeration

- Once we can contact our village, I will update the page on what is needed.

There has never been an event in recent history where an entire population has been cut off from the world.

Every dollar donated counts to help make a difference to the families in Kolomotu'a Village - a place I call home.

Ofa Atu Tonga, and may God protect our friendly islands.

Mary (Melenaite) Hall's involvement (page creator)

Member of the village

Use of funds

All donations will go directly to purchasing much-needed supplies and essentials that will be shipped from New Zealand to Tonga as soon as possible.

All supplies will be sent directly to the Kolomotua's Member of Parliament, Mr Tevita Fatafehi Puloka and Town District Officer, Mr Sosaia Faletau, who will manage the distribution of the supplies to village members most affected.

Latest update

One more week to go! 8 February 2022

A huge thank you to everyone who has already donated. We are almost half way to our goal of raising $20,000 to meet the urgent needs of those most affected in our village, Kolomotu'a.

Now we need to pick up the pace and urgency with just one week left to reach our goal. We're in regular contact with friends and family in Tonga and the situation remains severe, with the main issues being the devastation of homes and community infrastructure, and food security due to contamination from the volcanic ash deposits.

It has been humbling to see the community here in Auckland mobilising to support their Tongan neighbours in crisis, whether connected to the Tongan community or otherwise. I was moved to see this generosity at the shipping dispatch centre which has been set up at Mt Smart Stadium.

We now know what the immediate and ongoing requirements are looking like in Tonga and will be ready to action this in a week's time when fundraising is complete. We have already started to meet immediate needs by sending supplies of bottled water and non-perishable foods which we will continue to do at a larger scale with the release of funds, and we will then move on to sending building supplies that are much needed to rebuild and repair homes.

The first case of Covid 19 since the start of the pandemic was recently detected in Tonga just a few days on Friday and the nation has been moved to lockdown. This will provoke a whole new challenge for the islands in recovery. https://www.stuff.co.nz/world/south-pacific/127693115/covid19-in-tonga-new-community-case-detected-as-lockdown-extended

Thanks again for your support during this difficult time and please spread the word, Ofa atu❤️

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