Representatives of Tongan Community, Sydney, Australia
THE Australian Government has provided a $1 million package of support to assist in the relief and recovery efforts on the island of Niuatoputapu after it was severely damaged by Tsunami waves on the 30th September 2009.
With this package, the Australian emergency supplies which included tents, marquees, generators and lighting were sent to Nuku'alofa and loaded aboard the French vessel Revi and sailed to Niuatoputapu on 03 October 2009 with Australian and New Zealand relief equipments. The French vessel is part of the French support to the tsunami response effort and is part of the Pacific disaster coordination arrangements (FRANZ) between France, New Zealand and Australia.
Further assistance, as part of the immediate response, was provided through AusAID in which a private Australian medical team was sent to the ground; a disaster expert was deployed to assist the Tongan Government in assessing the reconstruction needs; as well as the donation of tents, generators, and hurricane lamps.
Left 'Inoke Hu'akau with goods for Niuatoputapu
The Australian Defence Force (ADF) through AusAID allocated spare capacity space on the HMAS Tobruk to transport containers to Samoa and Tonga. On Wednesday, 21 October 2009 Deputy High Commissioner, Leimoni Taufu'i and the Tongan Community in Sydney witnessed the departure of the HMAS Tobruk to Samoa and Tonga with containers loaded with water, food and clothing supplies from Tongan/Samoan Communities, Churches and families. Tonga High Commission, 22/10/09.
