1

http://www.matangitonga.to/article/20091026_tonga_tobruk.shtml

 

 

HMAS Tobruk heading for Niuatoputapu 

26 Oct 2009, 04:52 
 
Canberra, Australia: 

 

Representatives of Tongan Community, Sydney, Australia 
 
THE Australian Government has provided a $1 million package of support to assist in the 
relief and recovery efforts on the island of Niuatoputapu after it was severely damaged by 
Tsunami waves on the 30th September 2009.  
With this package, the Australian emergency supplies which included tents, marquees, 
generators and lighting were sent to Nuku'alofa and loaded aboard the French vessel Revi 
and sailed to Niuatoputapu on 03 October 2009 with Australian and New Zealand relief 
equipments. The French vessel is part of the French support to the tsunami response 
effort and is part of the Pacific disaster coordination arrangements (FRANZ) between 
France, New Zealand and Australia. 
 
Further assistance, as part of the immediate response, was provided through AusAID in 
which a private Australian medical team was sent to the ground; a disaster expert was 
deployed to assist the Tongan Government in assessing the reconstruction needs; as well 
as the donation of tents, generators, and hurricane lamps 
 

 

2

 

 
 

 

 
Left 'Inoke Hu'akau with goods for Niuatoputapu 
 
The Australian Defence Force (ADF) through AusAID allocated spare capacity space on 
the HMAS Tobruk to transport containers to Samoa and Tonga. On Wednesday, 21 
October 2009 Deputy High Commissioner, Leimoni Taufu'i and the Tongan Community 
in Sydney witnessed the departure of the HMAS Tobruk to Samoa and Tonga with 
containers loaded with water, food and clothing supplies from Tongan/Samoan 
Communities, Churches and families. Tonga High Commission, 22/10/09.