Tonga:
Earthquake Tsunami
Information bulletin n° 01
5 October 2009
This bulletin is being issued for information only and reflects the current situation and details
available at this time. The Federation is not seeking funding or other assistance from donors for this
operation. The Tonga Red Cross Society will, however, accept direct assistance to provide support to
the affected population.
The Situation
On 29 September 2009, at the universal time of 17:48:07, the Pacific Tsunami Warning Centre reported an
earthquake measuring a magnitude of 8.3, which generated a Pacific wide tsunami warning and this included
Tonga. The earthquake lasted over five minutes, and its epicentre was located 190 km southwest of American
Samoa. The most affected area of Tonga was Niua Tongatapu.
Assessment reports indicate 76 homes have been destroyed with nine confirmed deaths; and a further five
people in critical condition who were flown to Nuku’alofa. In addition, there are approximately 800 displaced
people with two local staff being involved in the operation. By 4 October 2009 the total number of people
affected had risen to 465.
The increase in the numbers of displaced people has created additional pressure on Tonga Red Cross Society
to meet all the affected communities’ needs. In addition, the trauma caused by the tsunami on the population
of Tonga, who rarely experience a massive natural disaster has created the need for significant emotional and
social support. The Tongan Government is currently trying to persuade displaced people to return to their land,
and homes. However, the people are reluctant and scared. These communities who experienced the affects of
this disaster will require support for a significant period of time to come.
The main water supply in the affected area is not functioning and residents are reliant on a small number of
reserve tanks. It is currently not clear how much water is there and how long it is likely to last. The national
government is currently shipping water to the island to supplement existing water supplies. The island is very
hot and dry so lack of water on the island may have health implications for the population.
At the time of this Information Bulletin, the Government of Tonga have declared the emergency phase over and
are now moving into the recovery phase and will be sending an assessment team into Niua Topatapu (NTT) to
look at wider recovery issues; and the Tonga Red Cross Society’s Secretary General, Mr. Sione will be part of
the government assessment team.
2
Red Cross and Red Crescent action
Tonga Red Cross Society (TRCS) staff and volunteers have been actively supporting the affected population of
Niua Tongatapu since the tsunami, through the distribution of relief items including 200 blankets, 100 cooking
sets, 100 hurricane lamps, 100 plastic buckets, 200 tarpaulins and 65 20lt water containers. TRCS are also in
the process of distributing hygiene kits.
An initial four-person team of TRCS staff travelled to Niua Tongatapu to support the actions of volunteers; an
additional five staff will travel in the coming days to provide psychosocial support. The TRCS health promotion
officer, who was part of the initial team, has been raising awareness on hygiene within the communities.
Palau Red Cross and Solomon Islands Red Cross have launched appeals to support the TRCS
response.
How we work
All International Federation assistance seeks to adhere to the
Code of Conduct for the International
Red Cross and Red Crescent Movement and Non-Governmental Organizations (NGO's) in Disaster
Relief
and is committed to the
Humanitarian Charter and Minimum Standards in Disaster Response
(Sphere)
in delivering assistance to the most vulnerable.
The International Federation’s activities are
aligned with its Global Agenda, which sets out four
broad goals to meet the Federation's mission to
"improve the lives of vulnerable people by
mobilizing the power of humanity".
Global Agenda Goals:
•
Reduce the numbers of deaths, injuries and impact
from disasters.
•
Reduce the number of deaths, illnesses and impact
from diseases and public health emergencies.
•
Increase local community, civil society and Red
Cross
Red Crescent capacity to address the most
urgent situations of vulnerability.
•
Reduce intolerance, discrimination and social
exclusion and promote
respect for diversity and
human dignity.
Contact information
For further information specifically related to this operation please contact:
Tonga: Tonga Red Cross Society, Mr. Sione Taumoefolau, Secretary General, phone: (676) 21508;
email:
redcross@kalianet.to
Pacific Regional Office for the International Federation, Suva:
•
Aurelia Balpe, Head of Pacific Regional Office, phone: +679 331 1855;
email:
aurelia.balpe@ifrc.org
•
Ruth Lane, Regional Disaster Risk Reduction Delegate, phone: +679 331 1855;
email:
ruth.lane@ifrc.org
Federation Asia Pacific zone office, Kuala Lumpur:
•
Michael Annear, disaster management coordinator,
Phone: +603 9207 5726, mobile: +6012 234 6591, email:
michael.annear@ifrc.org
•
Penny Elghady, resource mobilization and PMER coordinator,
Phone: +603 9207 5775, fax: +603 2161 0670, email:
penny.elghady@ifrc.org
•
Please send all pledges of funding to
zonerm.asiapacific@ifrc.org
•
Jeremy Francis, regional logistics coordinator,
Phone: +6012 298 9752, fax: +60 3 2168 8573, email:
jeremy.francis@ifrc.org
