Lifesaving support for Tonga

About this appeal

On January 15th, Tonga was devastated by the violent eruption of Hunga Tonga Hunga Ha’apai and the resulting tsunami. Communications, infrastructure, livelihoods and food crops were severely damaged, and water supplies were contaminated from the ash fall.

UNICEF was on the ground in the immediate aftermath of the emergency, ensuring children and families received the emergency care and supplies they needed - including the shipping of 44 metric tons of humanitarian supplies.

Due to the current COVID-19 situation in Tonga, to ensure we're not putting locals at risk, we've been making contactless deliveries of essential supplies and services, including:

• Distributing 3,000 water, sanitation, & hygiene (WASH) kits to families.

• Delivering 1,000 portable water quality testing kits to the Ministry of Health (MoH).

• In an effort to rehabilitate household, school and health facility WASH systems,

  10 collapsible water tanks of 1,500l each and 5 water pumps were given to the MoH.

• Protective gear and tools for clean-up (mist blowers, raincoats, gloves, gumboots, disinfectant) have been handed over to the MoH.

• Hygiene promotion messages which are being broadcasted on Tongan radio and TV.

In addition, UNICEF has also shipped COVID-19 test kits, personal protection equipment and COVID-19 vaccines to support the government’s pandemic response efforts.  

The emergency response in Tonga has now moved into a recovery phase. UNICEF is supporting Tongan communities to build back better. This includes helping strengthen household sanitation and hygiene, and providing psychological support to help children recover from the trauma.

If New Zealanders want to help the recovery in Tonga, the most effective means is to donate money not goods.

In the unlikely event that the funds raised exceed UNICEF’s funding requirements for this appeal, your one off or monthly gift will also go to our Global Parents Fund.

Your life-saving monthly donations will support this appeal for 6 months. After that they will go into our Global Parent fund to save and protect children worldwide.

UPDATED: 12th April, 2022