14th March 2017 Six homes at Fonoifua Island were severely affected by flash flood due to the heavy rain on March 5.
An Emergency Response Team (ERT) consisted of officers from Tonga’s National Emergency Management Office and the Ministry of Internal Affairs were sent to Fonoifua with emergency relief items on March 6 after a flash flood was reported.
A quick survey was conducted upon the team’s arrival to ascertain the state of the community as well as conducting a head count which established the following results.
- The total population of Fonoifua is 70
- Total households is 19
The emergency relief items were distributed amongst the households with the assistance of the Town Officer and some members of the community. The team’s Initial Damage Assessment (IDA) indicated that few households as well as the plantations were completely inundated.
After the IDA was completed the water began to dry out from the residential areas while the plantations were still completely waterlogged.
The WASH and the Food Security and Livelihood Clusters organized under NEMO were also mobilized to respond to the situation at Fonoifua.
Drinking water was transported to the island as well as health inspectors to treat the island’s drinking water supply and to curb any water borne diseases. A water sample was also collected for further testing and analysis.
Food items were distributed by the ERT were enough for the community for the time being and also seedlings amongst the community to be planted for future consumption.
At the meantime, the WASH and Food Security and Livelihood clusters will keep monitoring the activities at the community.
ENDS