Since the January 15 eruption of the Hunga Tonga-Hunga Ha'apai submarine volcano in Tonga and the subsequent tsunami, hundreds of tonnes of essential supplies have been donated and sent by the Tongan diaspora and wider community in New Zealand.
Receiving and distributing this support on the ground in Tonga is no mean feat amid an active disaster recovery operation complicated by an outbreak of Covid-19.
Today we speak with Saloti Sisifa, the CEO of Tonga Netball who has pivoted from her role to support the Tonga Relief Effort.
Saloti has coordinated the arrival and distribution of more than 60 shipping containers full of essential supplies from New Zealand.
Her new title for now is Aotearoa Tonga Relief Committee Coordinator in Tongatapu.
She told RNZ Pacific reporter Lydia Lewis she has also overseen the handover of boats donated by New Zealand billionare Graeme Hart of which she says six of 20 have arrived so far.
The first shipment of aid sent to Tonga by New Zealand community members and businesses is finally being unpacked after completing mandatory quarantine on Tongatapu. Photo: Aotearoa Tonga Relief Committee
