Red Cross mobilising regional network to respond to one of the worst volcanic eruptions in Tonga
Scale of the devastation could be immense - Greenwood

Red Cross mobilising regional network to respond to one of the worst volcanic eruptions in Tonga

Scale of the devastation could be immense - Greenwood

By Dhanjay Deo
Monday 17/01/2022
[Image: Red Cross]

Red Cross is mobilising its regional network to respond to one of the worst volcanic eruptions the Pacific has experienced in decades.

The Pacific Head of Delegation of the International Federation of Red Cross, Katie Greenwood says Tonga has been cut off from the rest of the world after an enormous volcanic eruption and subsequent tsunami.

She says all communication lines in the country have been disrupted with no timeframe given on restoration.

Greenwood says from what little updates they have, the scale of the devastation could be immense especially for outer lying islands.

She says they are trying hard to establish contact with their colleagues at the Tonga Red Cross and establish the scale and specific nature of the support they need.

Greenwood says trained Tonga Red Cross teams will be on the ground supporting evacuations in coordination with public authorities, providing first aid if needed, and distributing prepositioned relief supplies.

She adds Red Cross currently has enough relief supplies in the country to support 1,200 households with essential items such as tarpaulins, blankets, kitchen sets, shelter tool kits and hygiene kits.

There are fears that communities may not have access to safe and clean drinking water as a result of saltwater inundation caused by the tsunami waves and ashfall from the volcanic eruption.

Greenwood says shelter is also a concern, particularly for those communities near the coastline and local Red Cross teams are well placed to respond quickly to emergencies like this.

She says with communication channels disrupted, one of the priorities for Tonga Red Cross will be to work with their movement partner, International Committee of the Red Cross to restore family links which will help people from all over the world try and find out if their family and friends in Tonga are safe and well.



Latest Videos

Stay tuned for the latest news on our radio stations

CFL radio frequencies
IN DEPTH
Girmit Celebrations 2023
The Girmit story isn’t a story confined to one community in Fiji, it is a story that belongs to all of us. This was highlighted by the National ...
4 days ago

Fiscal Review Commitee members, Richard Naidu and Vani Catanasiga appear on fijivillage Straight Talk with Vijay Narayan
Fiscal Review Committee chair, Richard Naidu and senior member, Vani Catanasiga appeared on fijivillage Straight Talk with Vijay Narayan to discuss ...
5 days ago

Prof. Prasad appears on fijivillage Straight Talk With Vijay Narayan
Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Finance Professor Biman Prasad appeared on fijivillage Straight Talk with Vijay Narayan
7 days ago
FEATURE NEWS
Answers needed on human trafficking concerns
As work continues on strengthening our systems and laws relating to human trafficking, Police have opted not to make any comments on the National Acti...
34 minutes ago
LATEST NEWS
PRF has not secured any major co-funding in its first year of operation – PRF Founder
Pacific Recycling Foundation has not secured any major co-funding in its first year of operation and has mostly been supported by Waste Recyclers ...
33 minutes ago

10 changes in Fijiana XVs to face Tonga tonight
The Vodafone Fijiana XVs side to take on Tonga tonight in the Oceania Women's Championships in Gold Coast has been named with coach Inoke Male making ...
2 hours ago

United States is Fiji’s largest and fastest growing export market - Kamikamica
The United States is Fiji’s largest and fastest growing export market. Minister for Trade, Manoa Kamikamica highlighted this during the ...
2 hours ago

22 year old man charged with robbery and arson after breaking in and burning a house in Labasa
A 22 year old man who allegedly broke into a house and burnt it down in Labasa, has been charged with one count each of arson, burglary and ...
2 hours ago

President hosts Ratu Sukuna Day reception at State House
President Ratu Wiliame Katonivere hosted a reception at the State House for cabinet ministers, members of the diplomatic corp, civil society members, ...
5 hours ago

TOP