Government response to Tonga crisis weak and embarrassing
Government response to Tonga crisis weak and
embarrassing
Mana is highly critical of
the New Zealand government’s response to the devastation
in Tonga caused by Cyclone Ian.
Tonga is our
closest Pacific neighbour but the government’s initial
$50,000 contribution was frankly an
embarrassment.
The Tongan community in New Zealand
has contributed enormously to the New Zealand economy over
the decades yet our response to this most devastating
cyclone which has ravaged 75% of the homes in the Ha’apai
group of Islands was weak and pathetic.
The
government has now agreed to increase its contribution but
the figures are still pathetic.
The government has
the opportunity this week to makes some amends as
discussions are to be held over providing direct flights
from Auckland to Tonga so relief can get to where it’s
needed much more quickly. We look forward to the government
reaching out with respect to better support our nearest
Pacific neighbours at a time of great
need.
Meanwhile Mana is continuing to collect
non-perishable food (bags of flour and rice, canned food
etc) as well as such things as fishing gear, bush knives,
seeds, ropes and tarpaulins.
We dropped off our
first pile this morning and will continue to do so during
this week.
Sefita Haouli of the Ha'apai Relief Committee
in acknowledging the contributions said this morning "We
have a Tongan saying that in stormy seas when two wakas are
strapped together the load is lessened and a lot more can be
achieved".
New Zealand needs to tie our waka more
closely to Tonga.
It would be great if the media
could help spread the message about the need for
non-perishable food (bags of flour and rice, canned
food etc) as well as such things as fishing gear, bush
knives, seeds, ropes and tarpaulins. They can be
dropped off at:
Inner City Auckland: Suite
46/113 Greys Ave
Central Auckland: 4
Ethel Street Morningside
East Auckland:
29 Line Road Glen Innes
South Auckland:
5 Celia Place Mangere
Or they can
be dropped off directly at Loto Fale'ia church, 34
Orly Rd, Mangere between 9am and 9pm Monday to
Saturday this coming week where containers are being filled
to ship next
week.
ENDS