Donating the Disaster Relief Aid for Recovering From Tonga Volcano Eruption
Delivering Mother’s Love to Tonga suffering from volcanic eruptions, tsunami, and droughts
Tonga
In January, 2022, a submarine volcano erupted near the Island of Hunga Tonga and covered the whole country of Tonga with volcanic ashes. Shock waves from the explosion caused three tsunami waves, which damaged or destroyed about 470 households. The residents who lost their homes overnight could no longer use the rain water as drinking water due to the thick layer of volcanic ashes. Furthermore, due to the prolonged El Nino phenomenon, severe droughts occurred, which worsened the situation.
On September 20, World Mission Society Church of God donated 83,000 TOP (about 40,000 USD) to Tonga government to help the victims who were suffering great damage from the volcanic eruption. Around 10 a.m., about 30 people, including Tonga government officials and members from the Church of God in New Zealand and Tonga, attended the donation ceremony held at the new building site of Tonga Ministry of Meteorology, Energy, Information, Disaster Management, Environment, Climate Change and Communications [MEIDECC].
Paula Ma’U, CEO Of MEIDECC, said, “I’m truly grateful to the Church of God for the donations, and I hope to continue to work with the Church of God.” Tesimoni Taufateau, the Director of Tonga National Emergency Management Office [NEMO], expressed gratitude for the big donation made during difficult times, saying, “We’re providing domestic water by purifying the sea water through foreign aid. The donation will be sent to various parts of the island, and it will be used to supply water, electricity, and fuel.”
The members who participated in the donation ceremony said they were happy to share Mother’s love with their neighbors, and wished that it would be used to rebuild many places that got destroyed by tsunami. On January 21, right after Hunga Tonga-Hunga Haʻapai eruption, the Church of God previously helped the victims quickly recover their daily routine by providing daily necessities such as drinking water, face masks, and groceries in order to recover damages.