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Diarrhea hits Ha'apai but 'under-controlled'

By
Kaniva Pacific
-

[lastupdated]

Health experts are battling to prevent widespread illness after reports this week that diarrhea and skin diseases surfaced in areas of Ha’apai which were hardest hit by the Cyclone Ian.

So far hospital record shows 40-50 cases reported and the health officer -in-charge of Ha'apai's Niu'ui Hospital said they need more medical supplies.

Ha'apai is now facing water scarcity and some areas severely affected by the cyclone are looking at restoring old wells that have been left  unused for years, a source who asked to remain anonymous told Kaniva News.

Dr Tevita Vakasiuola said, the islands of Foa and the village of Fakakakai in Kauvai have no running water since the cyclone hit but NEMO is working to restore and install water supplies to those areas.

Dr Vakasiuola said it is common that unclean and contaminated water are major contributors to the cause of diarrhea and skin disease.

“The condition at the moment is not serious. I just checked our record we just have three patients admitted this morning [Mon 20],” he said.

It is understood most of the cases were not admitted to the hospital but medically treated by health offficers at the patients' homes

“The number of cases we were able to record was based on reports by our health officers who are working in the areas as well as people who were admitted to hospital within just one week,” the doctor said.

The category five cyclone struck the islands of Ha'apai causing catastrophic destruction to about 100 percent of the housing, UN report says.

Water

“Eighty percent of the water tanks in Ha'apai have been medicated,” Dr Vakasiola said.

But he advised that people boil the water before drinking.

On a separate case, Dr Vakasiuola said there were “more than hundred cases now admitted to hospital of people having injuries because of stepping on nails”.

“We received quite a number of cases on that. People stepping on nails but again no serious cases.  We just treated them and let them go home,

“But we expect more on this as it happens while people now clearing up their homes," the doctor said.

Medical supplies

“We need more medical supplies for the diarrhea we still have some medication here but not much left,” Dr. Vakasiuola said.

Kaniva understands a team of  French specialists conducted an overall tactical assessment report in the affected areas in the weekend.

A source said the need for medical supplies and treatments for diarrhea was highlighted  in the French report.

Comment: Stop grovelling to the Chinese government

By
Kalino Latu
-

Comment:

The Tongan government must stop grovelling to the Chinese government.

Last week the Tongan government made a big fuss about China’s donation to Tonga in the wake of Cyclone Ian. The Chinese government donated TP$10,000, the equivalent of $NZ6522.

The New Zealand government gave Tonga $NZ500,000, but did not rate the extravagant praise heaped on the Chinese by Tongan authorities.

Neither was there any special thanks for Australia, which donated Aus$200,000. France also  gave relief aid for the cyclone.

The actions of the Tongan government were immature, undiplomatic and unwise.

Further reading: Government of the People’s Republic of China donates emergency supplies for Ha’apai

The reasons for the government’s behaviour are quite clear, however. It is massively in debt to China, and cannot repay its loans.

It has asked China to be lenient and it seems it will do anything to be nice to the Chinese government, even if it means insulting its traditional Pacific partners, New Zealand and Australia.

The Tongan government website reported that a ceremony had been held to acknowledge the Chinese donation.

It described China’s $NZ6522 donation as “a significant contribution to providing shelters for tens of thousands of people who have been displaced by the cyclone.”

Further reading: Tonga snubs New Zealand, Australia

The website also praised the Chinese communities of Tonga who have continued “to show their support towards the people of Ha’apai in providing food supplies and water.”

The Tongan government’s behaviour has unnecessarily politicised the issue of aid.

Tonga’s Islands of Ha’apai are struggling to cope with the devastation wrought by the category five cyclone.

Almost all houses on the islands have been damaged, with some villages completely destroyed.

However, the Tongan government has been slow to ask for help.

The New Zealand media blasted the kingdom’s government for not quickly asking for help from New Zealand so money would be available immediately after the cyclone.

The Tongan government said it wanted to assess the extent of the damage before applying for assistance and has only just officially asked for help.

Further reading: Relief effort underway in Tonga (Australian Network News)

Last week New Zealand’s Scoop news site quoted Auckland Tongan Advisory Council community head Melino Maka as saying: “The Tongan Government should be looking at the people who have suffered in Cyclone Ian, they need to get on with it.”

The row over New Zealand aid to Tonga widened over the weekend.

Many  asked why the New Zealand government wanted Tonga to ask for help first and slammed the delay.

And yet one has to ask how hard it was for the Tongan government to e-mail Wellington and ask for help?

It is normal practice for governments to make formal requests for assistance. In this case the Tongan government seems to have been very slow in acting, even though an RNZAF Orion which flew over the islands in the immediate aftermath of the cyclone reported extensive damage.

Further reading: Tonga won’t ask for help

Tongan community leaders told Kaniva Pacific they were embarrassed by Tonga’s treatment of New Zealand over this and other issues in recent months.

There are 50,000 Tongans in New Zealand, most of them in Auckland and the Tongan economy relies heavily on their remittances.

New Zealand and Australia have always been ready to help the kingdom with development and during natural disasters like Cyclone Ian.

Tonga’s relationship with New Zealand has already been strained in the past two years.

The New Zealand government holds a NZ$8 million grant to support Tongan tourism after the kingdom’s government imported a Chinese airliner that has a questionable safety record. The Tongan government refused to let New Zealanders civil aviation officials  into Tonga to inspect the aircraft.

Deputy Prime Minister of Tonga Hon Vaipulu, who was instrumental on bringing the controversial aircraft to Tonga, told the Tongan media: “We don’t want New Zealand telling us what to do and interfering with our internal matters.”

Further reading: New Zealand accused of bullying

However,  the Tongan Advisory Council in Auckland in September last year said Tongan community in Auckland supported the New Zealand government’s decision to withhold the money.

In 2012 the New Zealand government asked Tonga to return about NZ$300,000 of aid money that had been reported missing.

New Zealand’s behaviour in these cases has been based on the principle of accountability.

Any form of assistance that come from New Zealand to Tonga must be strictly monitored by the New Zealand authorities to make sure they are used according to the purpose of the grant.

Can the same be said about the massive China grant given to Tonga? The Chinese Embassy in Tonga told Radio Australia the money was supposed to help the development of the society and the people of Tonga.

The Tongan Supreme Court has quashed a case brought by opposition leader Akilisi Pohiva in which he alleged that TP$32 million (NZ$ 21 million) of Chinese aid to Tonga was illegally transferred to Princess Pilolevu  and her satellite company, Tongasat. However, Pohiva said late last year that he would file a civil case against the defendants if he lost in the Supreme Court.

Further reading: Tonga says NZ has asked for aid money back

The Chinese aid money has raised many uncomfortable questions.

The Tongan government must deal with these in a rational, mature and logical way. It cannot solve them by fawning on the Chinese government in the vain hope that it will be nice and write off the debt.

It certainly cannot solve them by belittling its major aid donors and traditional partners in the wake of a natural disaster. New Zealand and Australia have responded generously in the aftermath of Cyclone Ian.

As a small nation with a fragile economy, Tonga needs to maintain good relations with countries which have supported the kingdom in the past and will remain its partners in the future.

There is an old saying about not biting the hand that feeds you.Unfortunately, right now it will look to many people as if the Tongan government’s behaviour is a sign that it is quite willing to bite the hands of New Zealand and Australia rather than dealing with the crisis brought on by the Chinese loan.

French CASA helps take 9-year-old patient

By
Kaniva Pacific
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A boy who suffered severe stomach pain since Thursday and was treated by the local nurses at Ha’afeva was today flown to Tongatapu by the French military aircraft CASA.

Lemoto Latu, 9,  of Fotuha’a Island was accompanied by his mother and another woman on the aircraft, on their way to Vaiola Hospital.

Dr Tevita Vakasiuola from Niu'ui Hospital told Kaniva News they sent the patient to Tongatapu because of the condition of the Ha’apai hospital after the Cyclone Ian hit on Saturday 11.

The Honorary French Consul to Tonga, Tupou Pasikala who travelled on the plane to Ha’apai as part of the French government’s aid to Tonga on the cylone said today was the second day of the CASA’s mission for Ha’apai.

“We took more aids today and they are now awaiting the NZ aid arriving this morning at 1 am. We also took personnel from different companies like Tonga Power limited, hospital and Police,” Pasikala said.

The French aircraft which can carry about four tons of loads, best suited to short runways and highly versatile is operating under a joint effort by the armed forces of Tonga, New Zealand and France. 

CASA continued its rotational flights between Tongatapu and Lifuka today and tomorrow will be the last day before it returns to New Caledonia.

Featured image: Mona Palu

Man, aged 58 dies in Ha’apai

By
Kaniva Pacific
-

A man died in Niu’ui Hospital yesterday afternoon and it has been confirmed today he was Pauliasi Kulitapa of Holopeka.

Tevita Vakasiuola, Health Officer -In-Charge of Ha’apai Hospital said the man died from natural cause and it has nothing linked to the Cyclone Ian that severely struck the islands last weekend.

The funeral service was held today and the deceased family and kainga were flown from Tongatapu to Ha’apai by the French military aircraft, CASA.

Victims: images stir up immediate action

By
Kaniva Pacific
-

[lastupdated]

Today’s internet technologies allow friends and families to keep each other posted within seconds no matter how far they live.

On Facebook, dramatic images taken in the aftermath of Cyclone Ian met with emotional reaction causing many  to initiate relief efforts so they could reach out to victims in Ha'apai.

Many Facebook users asked if anybody could provide contact details for the victims with the implication they wanted to help after viewing their photos on Facebook.

Cyclone Ian category five hit six islands of Ha'apai group in the weekend where 17 primary and secondary schools altogether were badly affected.

Almost 100 percent of the housing were either demolished or have major damage.

Auckland donors fill six containers

By
Kaniva Pacific
-

Auckland, NZ – Six containers filled with donated goods were scheduled to be on their way to Tonga next week while the Auckland community just keeps on giving.

Jenny Latu Salesa, Chairwoman of the Ha’apai Relief Committee in Auckland said yesterday they were expecting three containers to be filled by tomorrow Saturday 18.

But it quickly became apparent that they were not going to be enough as items flowed into the Orly Rd Methodists Church of Lotofale’ia to be sent to Tonga to help Ha'apai cyclone victims.  

“I am grateful and truly humbled by everyone's generosity. The Ha'apai Relief Committee has received food parcels, drums and boxes of non-perishable food from hundreds of families here in NZ to send to their loved ones in Ha'apai,” Salesa said.  

“We have also received donations of food from many Samoan, Palangi, Maori, Niuean families and many others.

“We had initially hoped to fill 3 containers by this Saturday and we've ended up with 6 full containers instead.

“It is amazing to see Tongans coming together and working collaboratively to achieve a set goal in such a tight time frame.

“Filling 3 containers a day over a two-day period is just superb and being at Lotofale'ia with hundreds of Tongans coming together like this is just so heart-warming,” Salesa told Kaniva News.

The first three containers will leave on Monday 20 while the next three will leave Auckland on Wednesday 22.

Salesa said the Monday’s vessel will go through Fiji and Samoa before it is expected to arrive in Tonga on February 10.

Three containers were provided free by the Pacific Direct Line (PDL) and the other three from former All Blacks, Michael Jones.

Transportation costs have been met by the Auckland Mayoral Disaster Fund.

Reliefs reach remote areas as more aid roll in

By
Kaniva Pacific
-

Authorities in Tonga said the relief efforts from both the international and local communities already in place have arrived at areas outside Haapai's main island of Lifuka that severely hit by Cyclone Ian.

New Zealand and the French governments have announced today they have given Tonga further assistance to help it recover from the cyclone.

Australia and China likewise have pledeged aid reliefs.

The category five Cyclone Ian  smashed into six islands including Lifuka, Foa, Ha’ano, Mo’unga’one, ‘Uiha and Lofanga in the weekend.

UN report confirmed there has been extensive damage to housing in the affected areas with nearly 100 percent of the housing affected, ranging from severe destruction to light damage.

Correspondent Vilisoni Tu’iniua was in Ha’apai while the aid was distributed.

“It has reached Kauvai Ha’ano (Ha’ano, Fakakai, Pukotala, Muitoa) and the island of Mo’unga’one as well as ‘Uiha. The aid was given to the town officers and church leaders for them to distribute to the villagers. The aid for Lifuka was delivered by trucks and for the other islands distributions were taken by dinghies," Tu’iniua said adding, “the kainga were so happy”.

More aid

John Key’s government supplied 300 emergency shelter kits, which can provide interim shelter to over 2000 people, and assist the New Zealand and Tongan Red Cross with the provision of clean water.

New Zealand will also make a further $300,000 available to New Zealand non-government organisations working with partners on the ground, New Zealand Foreign Minister Hon Murry McCully announced today.

A New Zealand Defence Force C-130 delivered the relief supplies to Tonga this afternoon.

Today’s announcement brings New Zealand’s support to Tonga since Tropical Cyclone Ian struck last week to $500,000.

The Republic of France, the Government of New Caledonia and  its Congress, and the French Red Cross have also provided relief aid to Tonga.

A military aircraft, CASA, departed New Caledonia today 17 January to deliver the assistance.

CASA will take a disaster evaluation team that consists a military doctor and specialists (logistics, maintenances, upload cargo), a statement says.

Australia also gave Tonga an initial US$45,000 in emergency supplies following the cyclone.

Queensland Government of Australia in particular will donate AUS$50,000 to help Tonga in the re-building effort.

Minister for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander and Multicultural Affairs Glen Elmes has announced the donation yesterday – which matches the Australian Government donation – when attending a Tongan prayer service for cyclone victims yesterday at Redcliffe, one of two areas in Brisbane where there is a significant Tongan population. The other is Logan.

“The emergency assistance recognises the severe destruction caused by the storm on housing, infrastructure and vegetation, and the need to rebuild as soon as possible as part of the recovery process,” Mr Elmes said. 

“We have strong links to Tonga, with around 1,600 Queenslanders born in Tonga, and more than 5,000 having Tongan ancestry”.

The Chinese government donated emergency supplies valued at TOP $10,000 pa’anga including drinking water, food and 400 tents.

Police arrest cyclone looters

By
Kaniva Pacific
-

Three male teenagers from the village of Faleloa were arrested by police on Tuesday 14 for allegedly looting on January 11 the day Cyclone Ian wrecked the Ha'apai group.

'Okusitino Peleki, the Ha'apai Police Inspector said "they received a complaint on Sunday 12 January, 2014 from the owner of Matafonua Lodge,  Darren Rice after he returned to the Lodge and found out that" properties worth  $190,10.00 were stolen from the place.

Police were able to seize the stolen goods including alochol and beers which some of them have already been consumed by the trio, Peleki said.

"Investigations are still ongoing with report that there are more suspects who were involved in committing this crime", the Police Inspector said.

"Acting Police Commisisoner ‘Unga Fa’aoa urged those in Ha’apai who are thinking of Committing or continuing to commit this type of crime or any other crimes because of the Vulnerable State facing the Island, to desist as they will be facing prosecution when caught".

Ha‘apai relief effort sends first containers

By
Kaniva Pacific
-

[lastupdated]

NZ, AUCK:  Pacific community in Auckland rallied to step up efforts to help victims in Tonga that devastated by super Cyclone Ian.

The most powerful cyclone ever recorded to have smashed into the Tonga Islands demolished 90 percent of all homes and at least one person killed in the kingdom’s third  largest island group of Ha’apai.  

Chairperson of the Ha’apai Relief Committee in Auckland, Jenny Latu Salesa told Kaniva News today a committee was set up to organize the Ha’apai relief effort following a meeting held last night in Mangere by the Tongan and Pacific communities.

“There are three containers now hopefully by this evening they will be available at Lotofale’ia church and they are free for the community to put in whatever they like to send to help Ha’apai,” Salesa said.

The deadline is Saturday 18 before the vessel leaves for Tonga on Monday next week.

But there was something Salesa asked the Auckland community to consider:

Just “give the basic necessity needs. At this stage we will only accept non-perishable food, water and small household tools, crockery and cutlery. No tv and  furniture", she said adding this is not the “last chance to send assistance to Tonga as the relief project was set to be ongoing and at this point in time we need to send just the immediate needs”.

Salesa said the Mayoral Disaster Fund has been activated by Mayor Len Borwn’s office following Cyclone Ian and the Ha’apai Relief Committee in New Zealand “was fortunate to get fund from it”.

“The Mayoral Fund would pay for the shipments and all costs for the transportation. That fund was intended to help the Pacific countries when there is disaster like this,” said Salesa who is the only Tongan member in the Mayoral Fund advisory committee.

The meeting was arranged by Mangere’s Labour MP Sua William Sio and Lawyer ‘Amelia Schaaf.  

National MP Peseta Lotu Inga attended  and he outlined at the meeting the “New Zealand Government's response to the disaster and encouraged local people to also take part in the relief efforts for family and friends back home in Tonga”.

Need more help

While a huge relief effort is under way in the Ha’apai Group to help victims Ha’apai Governor, Lord Tu’iha’angana said they  need a lot more help.

NEMO’s Impact report says there were 4979 people estimated to have been around when the cyclone hit.

Victims now shelter in church buildings and public halls.

The telecommunication networks was reported to be up and running since yesterday.

New Zealand 3News said it would take at least two months to rebuild the power lines which 95 percent  of it has been destroyed by the cyclone.

Thousands fear hunger as report released

By
Kalino Latu
-

[lastupdated]

A report says almost 5000 people in Ha’apai were affected when cyclone Ian hit on Saturday leaving nearly 1000 households homeless with many evacuated to church and public halls.

The category 5 cyclone struck Ha’apai Islands in Tonga with gusts of up to 287km per hour destroying homes and it claimed the life of 51-year-old Kalolaine Paongo of Pangai. The woman injured her leg when it hit by a roofing iron. She later died in hospital.

Tongan disaster teams assisted by the New Zealand relief personnel were dispatched to the area on Sunday to begin relief and assessment operation.  

A National Emergency Management Office (NEMO) Ha’apai Impact Analysis report was made available yesterday.

From the figures shown the areas affected by the cyclone have a total population of 4979 with an estimated  households of 952. The cyclone hit only six islands. They were Lifuka, Foa, Uiha, Lofanga, Mo'unga'one and Kauvai Ha'ano.

Ha’apai has a population of 8000 but Tonga Red Cross this week mentioned  6000 when its secretary general, Sione Taumoefolau referred to the islands’ population.

Sixty two islands altogether but only 19 are inhabited (according to District and town offficers Act 1988)

The villages of  Pangai  in Lifuka, Faleloa in Foa, Ha’ano in Kauvai and the island of Mo’unga’one  were  the worst-affected areas, according to the NEMO's impact report.  

It says Pangai has a total population of 1239 and has an estimated households of 239. The cyclone ripped off roof of the Pangai market and 75% of the houses destroyed. Twenty percent of the Police Station was destroyed and 50 percent damaged, the report says.  

 Faleloa in Foa Island, total population of 353, estimated households of 61 in which 70 percent of the shelter and buildings majorly damaged.

Pukotala in the Kauvai Ha’ano Island has a population of 91 in total, estimated households of 17.  The report says 22 houses destroyed and 15 damaged.  Overall about 60 percent of the village destroyed or majorly damaged.

Mo’unga’one Island, total population 92, estimated households 20. About 70 percent of the island destroyed,  35 houses destroyed and 3 damaged, the report says.  

Ha’ano in  Kauvai Ha’ano Island, total population 115, estimated households 27.  Seventy five percent of the  buildings and shelter  including churches and primary school majorly damaged.  Ten houses destroyed and 24 damaged , 3 were left unaffected, according to the report.

Hihifo in Lifuka Island has a population of 833 in total, estimated households 167. Hospital roof damaged, according to the report.

Holopeka in Lifuka Island, total population 141, estimated households 27. About 60 percent of the buildings and shelter destroyed.

Koulo in Lifuka Island, total population 214, estimated households 37. About 50 percent of the buildings and shelter destroyed.

Fangale’ounga in  Foa Island, total population 174, estimated households 30.  About 50% of the buildings and shelter destroyed, and 10 to 20 percent  damaged.

Fotua in Foa Island,  total population 225, estimated households 36. About 15 percent of houses destroyed and 15 percent damaged.

Lotofoa in Foa Island, total population 410, estimated households 67. About 50 percent of  the buildings and shelter damaged.

Ha’afakahenga, in Foa Island,  total population 102, estimated household 18.  About 25 percent of the buildings and shelter damaged.

Ha’ateiho Si’i in Foa Island, total population of 105, estimated households 19. About 25 percent of the buildings and shelter damaged.

Fakakakai in  Kauvai Ha’ano Island, total population of 176, estimated households 33. About 13 buildings and a church destroyed, about 60 percent of the  buildings damaged.

Muitoa in Kauvai Ha’ano Island, total population 37, estimated households 9. About  5 houses majorly damaged.

Uiha Island, total population 415, estimated households 78. About  10 damaged.

Felemea in ‘Uiha Island, population 137, estimated households 34. About 5 light damages.

Lofanga Island, total population 120, estimated households 33. Light damage. 6 houses damaged, 40 were saved.

Aucklanders meeting

There is grave concern now about the safety and conditions of people outside Lifuka Island as relief angencies have yet to reach them.

All assistances and relief operations available ended up in Lifuka only where the adminitrative centre is. 

Tongans in Auckland will hold a meeting today to organise relief efforts to help the cyclone victims back home and the community would only be asked to donate foods and water.

Makalita Kolo one of the coordinators said that was the  advice from the Opposition Leader MP 'Akilisi Pohiva saying there was fear some people in Ha'apai may have not been access to clean water and food since the cyclone left.

"That's what we will take with us to the meeting  this evening to discuss  with the people, " Kolo said.

"There are other essential  supplies that are important like shelter, tents and clothing but other relief agencies are providing them, food and water are the most immediate needs now," she said.

Ha’apai Islands:

Population: 8000 (Tonga Red Cross claimed 6000).

Contain 62 islands, 19 inhabited

Districts: (District and town offficers Act 1988)

 (1) Mu'omu'a District. The islands of Nomuka, Mango, Fonoifua, Kelefesia and Tonumea.

(2) Lulunga District. The islands of Ha'afeva, Tungua, Matuku, 'O'ua, Kotu and Fotuha'a, Kao and Tofua.

(3) "Uiha District. The islands of 'Uiha and Lofanga.

(4) Lifuka District. The island of Lifuka.

(5) Foa District. The island of Foa.

(6) Ha'ano District. The islands of Ha'ano and Mo'unga'one.

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