On 15 January 2022, a volcano beneath the sea off the coast of Tonga erupted — sending an ash cloud 18km into the sky, and tsunami waves that have caused devastation across the nation’s largest island, Tongatapu.
More than 80,000 people were affected by the disaster and every agricultural sector in the country suffered substantial losses. Water supplies and the air itself were contaminated by the ashfall.
Thousands of people in Tonga remain without homes and there are ongoing needs for safe shelter, food, safe drinking water, toilets and other basic essentials.
CARE has long standing relationships with local partners in Tonga who are supporting those who have lost their homes, livelihoods and farmland and helping communities be better prepared for future disasters.
With CARE’s support, our partners have already:
- distributed lifesaving supplies including drinking water, food and shelter materials;
- provided hygiene kits and hand-washing kits to help prevent the spread of diseases;
- repaired household and community water tanks;
- cleared land to replant crops and repair nurseries;
- provided seeds and equipment to farmers;
- established community services including safe play and recreation spaces for children
CARE Australia has not sent any international staff to Tonga for this response — our approach is to support local organisations to respond, and our partners MORDI Tonga Trust and Talitha Project are well placed to reach the communities with whom they are already working. We have collaborated closely with both of these organisations in response to Tropical Cyclones Gita and Harold, as well as COVID-19.
Please give now to CARE Australia’s Global Emergency Fund to provide lifesaving support to families all around the world enduring crises like this.
What is the situation in Tonga?
Following the volcanic eruption in January, a thick layer of ash blanketed the islands, polluting the air and water supplies. The subsequent tsunami waves caused significant damage to homes and infrastructure.
The following needs remain our top priorities:
- Clean water due to contamination from the ash cloud.
- Food with both the tsunami waves and ash fall destroying crops.
- Shelter with homes being affected by tsunami waves.
- Healthcare to deal with injuries and the possibility of the spread of disease, and ash causing difficulties with breathing, and impacts to skin.
- Rehabilitation of farmland and agriculture.
What is CARE Australia doing to help?
CARE has long standing relationships with local partners in Tonga who are best placed to respond to this emergency. We are working closely with them to ensure they are able to support those who have lost their homes, livelihoods and farmland and help communities be better prepared for future disasters.
Will my donation help the people affected by this disaster?
CARE uses donations to our Global Emergency Fund to provide emergency relief and services to those who need them most. Your donation will help the world’s most vulnerable people prepare for, and recover from, emergencies and disasters.
Every year, CARE responds to emergencies and disasters that affect the lives of millions of people around the world. With emergency-response experts in more than 60 countries, we are ready to immediately provide lifesaving food, water, shelter and healthcare; and as people recover, we help them rebuild their lives.
How long has CARE been working in Tonga?
CARE has been programming in Tonga in partnership with MORDI Tonga Trust and Talitha Project since 2017.
MORDI Tonga Trust has been operational in Tonga since 2007, with operations in all island groups across the country. CARE’s partnership with MORDI Tonga Trust includes a nationwide agriculture and community development program, as well as emergency responses to Tropical Cyclones Gita in 2018, Harold in 2020 and the COVID-19 pandemic.
Talitha Project is a local Tongan non-government organisation that was founded in 2009 and is committed to empowering young women and girls to make informed decisions through informal education, lifeskills and development programs.
Donate by phone
Call 1800 020 046 toll free and pay by credit card.
Donations over $2 are tax deductible.
CARE will use donations to our Global Emergency Fund to provide emergency relief and services to those who need them most. This will help the world’s most vulnerable people prepare for, and recover from, emergencies and disasters.
All images © MORDI Tonga Trust
