Paula Mau, Deputy Secretary at the Prime Minister's Office in his temporary office at Niuatoputapu High School
by Laura Jeffery
THE first part of Niuatoputapu relief operation is nearing completion, according to Paula Mau, Deputy Secretary at the Prime Minister's Office, who is visiting the area.
Phase One or the 'immediate response' to the disaster, addressed the most urgent needs of the population, including repairing the basic infrastructure such as the roads and the airfield, evacuating the seriously injured and providing food and shelter for those left without. He said that an aluminium boat was being brought in to establish a reliable link between Niuatoputapu and Tafahi, an extinct volcano about five miles across the sea, with a population of about 45.
The current aid team, led by Hon. Ma'afu, is expected to return to Tongatapu this week, and another team will arrive to replace them to move on into 'phase two'. Amongst the issues Paula expected to be addressed will be regular transport links, repairs to the wharf, and a 'reactivation' of economic activity, which will look into the provision of funds for local fishermen to replace the boats which were destroyed by the tsunsami, along with encouraging locals to grow food for export to the mainland.
The HMNZS Canterbury, which didn't have time to unload all it's supplies before going to Samoa, was expected to return, and the Voyeur was due to stop at Niuatoputapu this week.
