The disaster dealt a huge blow to Fangupō Lātū, 74 years old, living in the village of Pātangata. His fishing boat was sunk and destroyed in the tsunami, leaving him unable to make a living.
However, he is also worried about how the crisis is affecting his community. “My village’s main source of income and livelihood comes from the sea, but the waves have damaged most of our boats,” he said.
“We sell seafood every day, but not now. Anyone whose boat wasn’t destroyed goes fishing, he added, due to the poison warning,” he added, referring to the fear associated with the devastation of the ash. covered the islands of Tonga after the volcanic eruption.
UN Tonga / Sia Angilau
Fangupō Lātū at his Pātangata home.
Concerns about food supplies
Food security and recovery are the key medium and long term challenges facing Tonga. As cleanup efforts continue, schools will reopen in Tonga, but when they do, many families will not be able to afford the required tuition fees.
With these specific needs in mind, the United Nations teams in Tonga and Fiji are working with the Government of Tongan, the Department of Fisheries and the National Office of Emergency Management (NEMO) to ensure the needs of these people are met. people like Mr. Lātū.
The United Nations World Food Program (WFP) and Tonga’s Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Forests, are determining how and where they can assist, to properly address Tonga’s supplementary food requirements and ensure a coordinated response.
Total funding of approximately $354,000 from the Special Fund for Emergency and Recovery Operations (SFERA) has been allocated to Tonga, through the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations.FAO).
In addition, and shortly thereafter, Tonga’s National Emergency Management Commission approved funding to assist in reducing the cost of deep sea fishing permits to 5 Tongan pa’anga (local currency) per kg (2.20 USD/kg), for one month. .
© Konionia Mafileo
The volcanic eruption and tsunami in Tonga highlighted the vulnerability of small islands and developing countries (SIDS).
Recovery of aquaculture
Aquaculture recovery is also underway in Tonga, especially for Mokohonu (sea cucumber) and Kanahe (fish), and the Ministry of Fisheries has implemented an Immediate Response Plan until the end of this month. .
This includes ensuring an adequate supply of fish from safe sources (tuna and deepwater red snapper) for the general public to consume. The Department of Fisheries is working closely with FAO to identify priority areas for immediate assistance.
“We are slowly getting a clearer picture of the effects this disaster has had on the vital agricultural and fishing industries on which so many Tongans depend – whether it’s for damage to coral reefs or ash deposits on some islands,” noted Ms. Xiangjun Yao, FAO Sub-Regional Coordinator for the Pacific.
“Following the One UN approach, we are preparing support so that everyone can get up as quickly and safely as possible.”
