23rd February, 2017 A French navy vessel B2M D’entrecasteaux carrying relief supplies from UNICEF, UNFPA and Digicel bases in Fiji docked Vuna Wharf this morning.
Deputy CEO for Education and Training Mr. ‘Isikeli Oko said, the vessel carried the remainder of the UNICEF assistance that was brought to Tonga by New Zealand’s fourth C-130 flight on Wednesday.
The aids from UNFPA are mostly disposable medical equipment that will last Tonga for the next three months.
CEO of Digicel Tonga Mr. Ben Kealy said that Digicel’s relief supplies include food aids, tents, food parcels and water which the company will start distributing today.
B2M D’entrecasteaux Captain Lieutenant Commander Matthieu Ruf said that the vessel was in Wallis and Futuna when Cyclone Gita passed by Tongatapu and ‘Eua.
“We had the order from our headquarters to get some relief from Fiji so we spent a few hours in Suva to get some materials and deliver it to Nuku’alofa.”
He said that the crew will spend three days in Tongatapu to unload the supplies and lend a hand if needed to set up tents in the affected schools.
The Minister for MEIDECC and Chair of the National Emergency Management Committee Hon. Poasi Mataele Tei and the Director of NEMO Mr. Leveni ‘Aho were at the wharf to welcome Captain RUF and his crew.
ENDS
Issued by the: Ministry of Meteorology, Energy, Information, Disaster Management, Environment, Climate Change and Communications.