02nd March, 2022 A total of 169 houses were completely destroyed across Tongatapu, Ha’apai and ‘Eua after the HTHH Volcanic Eruption and Tonga Tsunami according to the Initial Damage Report which is now available at the National Emergency Management Office (NEMO) under the Ministry of MEIDECC.
117 houses were severely damaged, 101 houses suffered moderate damages while 81 houses experienced minor damages bringing the total of affected households to 468.
The collection of data confirmed a widespread impacts in three island groups which is Tongatapu, ‘Eua and Ha’apai.
The IDA report is based on the information gathered from the affected communities after the HTHH disaster on January 15 with efforts from government line ministries, non-government organizations and the Humanitarian Clusters coordinated by NEMO.
The assessments of the damages and impacts began on January 16 with the guidance provided by NEMO and was completed on January 31, taken into account verification and detailed inspections.
IDA assessors included representatives from His Majesty’s Armed Forces (HMAF), Tonga Police Force, Tonga Fire and Emergency Services (TFES), Geospatial Information Services (GIS) Division under the Ministry of Lands and Natural Resources, Ministry of Health (MOH) and MEIDECC.
NEMO was also supported by its international development partners including the United Nations Office for the Humanitarian Coordination (UNOCHA), Australian Government through DFAT and New Zealand through NEMA.
Other engagement and participation in the IDA process were members from the civil society organizations consists of Tonga Red Cross Society, Tonga National Youth Congress, Talitha Project and MORDI Tonga.
The IDA report summarizes the damages and impacts in the affected population in these affected islands with details on the mass evacuation and displacement, damage to households, water and sanitation facilities, food items and crops, household utilities and non-food items as well as the public infrastructure and critical service facilities.
NEMO acknowledges the support, assistances and collaboration from first responders and participating agencies since January, 15.
ENDS
Issued by the: Ministry of Meteorology, Energy, Information, Disaster Management, Environment, Climate Change & Communications