Australia and NZ provide assistance to cyclone-hit Vava’u

The National Emergency Management Office, Ministers of the Crown, Australia and New Zealand accompanied a joint damage assessment mission to Vava’u on Saturday 20 February.

The island group was affected by the close passage of Cyclone Winston on Tuesday 16 February and again on Friday 19 February.

While there has been damage to agricultural food crops, some schools, military camp and hospital, Vava’u has emerged without significant damage to major infrastructure.

The resilient community in Vava’u has already begun making repairs to damaged buildings, clearing the roads and properties and all evacuation centres have now emptied.

Australia and New Zealand delivered pre-positioned mosquito nets and tarpaulins repositioned with the Tonga Red Cross Society and Caritas. The mosquito nets will be distributed from Vava’u Hospital to pregnant mothers and others at the greatest risk from contracting Zika virus.

Disaster management and response experts from Australia and New Zealand were also deployed to Vava’u to assist the National Emergency Management Office to conduct a formal damage assessment.

Australia and New Zealand have pledged to continue to monitor needs of the Government of Tonga in responding to the impact of Tropical Cyclone Winston in the Vava’u Island Group.

     

Author: 
Aust High Commission - Tonga