Tonga Relief Efforts

In Oamaru, the town's local rugby team have organised a donation drive to help out with its Tongan players whose families were affected by the tsunami disaster last month.

The senior coach at the Oamaru Old Boys Rugby Football Club Lemi Masoe said that they had organised collections at their home games and encouraged everyone to help out.

USAID is providing critical water, sanitation, and hygiene supplies and supporting disease prevention messaging campaigns to reduce the spread of infectious disease.

USAID will also work through partners to address food security, agriculture, livestock, and shelter needs among the most affected populations.

This new funding is in addition to an initial US$100,000 in immediate assistance and long-standing programs in Tonga that are already responding to urgent needs.

The U.S. Coast Guard Cutter Stratton (WMSL-752) is also underway to join assistance efforts.

The Auckland-based club take to the field for the first time on Friday, February 4 (7.05pm kickoff), in a pre-season fixture against the Chiefs at Mt Smart Stadium, and all proceeds, and donations, from the match will go towards supporting the ‘Ofa Atu Tonga’ (Love You Tonga) disaster relief efforts.

Moana Pasifika Trust chair, Savae Sir Michael Jones, said it would ensure added meaning to what was already going to be an historic occasion.