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.
[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, 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.
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.
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".
[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.
[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.
[lastupdated]
Tonga's Digicel mobile communication provider has announced this morning its telecommunication services to Ha’apai have been restored after links were cut by the massive destruction caused by Cyclone Ian.
Sione Taumoefolau, Tonga Red Cross Secretary General told Radio & Television Tonga this morning about 4000 out of the 6000 residents of Ha'apai were affected.
At least one elderly woman died and about 70% of the islands were either partly affected or completely destroyed, authorities said.
The cyclone hit the islands with Category 5 strength, the strongest a storm could create.
The catastrophic cyclone caused massive damage in the islands of Foa, Lifuka, Kauvai Ha'ano, and Mo'unga'one flattening houses and causing thousands to flee their homes.
The Tongan government has declared state of emergency and signalled that it is working to facilitate all assistance available both locally and from overseas.
Aid agencies are pushing for immediate access to the affected areas.
[lastupdated]
Cyclone Ian swept into Ha’apai Islands on Saturday 11, killing one woman and causing widespread damage.
RNZF Orion crew took the images today after the cyclone hit.
The team of assessors sent to the area to assess the aftermath have today returned to Tongatapu and NEMO is working to analyse the data collected.
Tonga's Director of Emergencies Leveni ‘Aho was quoted by Tonga Broadcasting Commission as saying the impact of the cyclone at ‘Otumu’omu’a mainly the islands of Nomuka and Ha'afeva was minimal.
The islands of ‘Uiha and Felemea however were devastated by the cyclone that struck with wind gusting up to 287km/h, 'Aho said.
Ha’apai group have 62 islands with only 23 inhabited and a full report on how the cyclone smashed into the whole of the Fo‘i‘one‘one is expected to be available tomorrow.
The islands of Lofanga and Mo’unga’one at Lulunga were two of the most affected areas and they need urgent assistance, ‘Aho said.
As relief efforts started to flow in since Sunday morning, Digicel Company and the Mormon Church donated foods, shelters and medical supplies which arrived by plane at Lifuka this afternoon.
Tongan two navy patrol boats carried tarpaulins, tents and other emergency supplies.
With the intensity of Cyclone Ian subsiding, steps to restore snapped communication lines, power cables and rebuild damaged infrastructure including major work at Salote Pilolevu airport at Koulo started today.
The Fua’amotu Tropical Cyclone Warning Centre at its cyclone warning number 47 today said the tropical cyclone warning previously in force for Tonga is now cancelled.
Last updated: January 12, 2014 at 23:40 pm
Cyclone Ian, the most powerful that whipped across Tonga in decades claimed an elderly woman's life which police said she was Kalolaine Paongo of Pangai in Lifuka, Ha'apai.
The woman's funeral service was held today but authorities did not give further details of the deceased.
Cyclone Ian meandered between Fiji and Tonga early this week but in its last swing at Category 4 towards the Friendly Islands it made landfall in Vava’u on Friday before devastating Ha'apai on Saturday.
Upgraded to Category 5 Cyclone Ian ripped roofs off buildings, flattened houses, uprooted trees, damaged power cables and has caused immense destruction to infrastructure, Sione Taumoefolau head of the Tonga Red Cross said today.
Since communication to the outer island of Ha’apai has been cut off as the cyclone lashed through Taumoefolau said the magnitude and sheer scale of destruction Ian has wrought on the islands not immediately clear.
The main islands of Ha‘ano, Lifuka and Foa were reported to be the most affected areas.
People were evacuated to church buildings while fallen trees and power poles blocked roads.
An image of the Tongaleleka Free Wesleyan Church in Lifuka has been shared on Facebook today.
The image shows the historical church building’s roof has been completely blown off.
Apocalyptic
The Governor of Ha'apai, Lord Tu'i Ha'angana told media that he could see from one side of the island to the "liku" (cliff-bound coast) at the other end and that’s how horrific the cyclone was.
Following some of the islanders on social media since the powerful tropical cyclone left many said the island had been hit by an "apocalyptic" storm.
A source quoted a representative from the National Emergency Management Office (NEMO) as reporting:
“At approximately 2230hrs NEMO officer at Ha'apai reported that 70 per cent of structures were either damaged or completely ruined.
“Water and Power supply were damaged. Prison, TDB, Police Station, church halls (except LDS), civil servant dwellings, Red Cross and NEMO bases damaged. Communication towers down.
“Emergency services now based at the Governor’s office.
Resorts and Tourist accommodation damaged”.
Clear up operation
Ha'apai Governor, Lord Tu'iha'angana called an emergency meeting with the district and town officers as well as government's head of departments today.
Following the meeting locals started clearing up debris and trashes left by Ian but strictly monitored to avoid further disaster, local media report.
The government announced a reconnaissance mission to assess the scale of the damage today.
Deputy Pime Minister Hon Samiu Vaipulu said the Tongan patrol boat VOEA Savea was expected to arrive in Nomuka at 12:00pm today while VOEA Pangai left Neiafu in the morning heading to Ha’apai Islands of Ha’ano and Mo’unga’one. Officers at the VOEAs will assess the situation of the disaster.
New Zealand sent an RNZAF aircraft to assist in the survey.
Hon Vaipulu said once NEMO received the assessment report which was expected for this evening government will do whatever it needs to help the people of Ha’apai.
Some islands residents used social media to plea for help with some asking for tools such as chainsaw and bush knives.
Overseas assistance
Foreign Affairs Minister Murray McCully said, New Zealand aid is already helping with the immediate response effort following Cyclone Ian.
"An RNZAF P3 Orion arrived in Tonga this morning to assist with aerial assessments following Tropical Cyclone Ian. We will also make $50,000 immediately available to respond to specific requests for assistance,'' Mr McCully said.
Oxfam New Zealand has also announced that it is expecting to send emergency staff to Tonga to assess the situation on the ground, and identify the most urgent needs.
Carlos Calderon, Pacific Humanitarian Manager for Oxfam, says: “Once the urgent needs are assessed we are expecting to help coordinate the supply of clean water and sanitation for those affected by the disaster.”
