Pacific tsunami one year on- Caritas rebuilds in Tonga and Samoa

One year on from the Pacific tsunami that claimed almost 200 lives, Caritas Aotearoa New Zealand has allocated the half-a-million dollars New Zealanders donated to its tsunami appeal, primarily to housing projects across Samoa and Tonga.

The last of 70 fale (houses) built for some of the worst-affected villages in the southeast of the Upolo (Samoa) was completed in August. Following difficulties over land access in Tonga, Caritas Aotearoa New Zealand has also supported Caritas Tonga in rebuilding houses for families who wish to remain on their ancestral land, rather than move to government-designated sites.

The cyclone-resistant Samoan fale were built by Caritas Samoa assisted by Habitat for Humanity. Consultation between government, non-government organisations and the community led to increases in the floor area of the government-sanctioned design to accommodate extended families, as well as raising the floor height. Changes were also made to bathroom facilities.
The project also allowed 14 young Samoans to gain construction qualifications.

Caritas Samoa staff were among the first to visit southwest Upolo after the tsunami hit; and in the month afterwards, provided food, drinking water and other emergency items to almost 1,500 people.

It also undertook trauma counselling, helped with education needs, and prepositioned supplies for possible future emergencies at six locations on Samoa’s two main islands of Upolu and Savaii.

As the newest member of the 165-strong Caritas Internationalis confederation of Catholic agencies, Caritas Samoa responded well – recruiting excellent staff to complete the project on time and to a high standard, according to the final report on the reconstruction project. It was assisted by the international Caritas network, in particular expertise and assistance provided by Caritas Australia. Caritas Aotearoa New Zealand contributed NZ$250,000 towards the total budget of NZ$1.3 million, financed by Caritas contributions from around the world.

The tsunami also devastated the northernmost Tongan island of Nuiatoputapu, killing nine people died and leaving one-fifth of the population homeless. In addition to the current housing project, Caritas Aotearoa New Zealand has supported Caritas Tonga’s lead role in providing trauma counselling, and assisted with transport of relief supplies.
More information on Caritas response to the tsunami at www.caritas.org.nz/pacifictsunami.
Caritas Aotearoa New Zealand is a member of Caritas Internationalis, a confederation of 165 Catholic aid, development and social justice agencies active in over 200 countries and territories.
Ends.

© Scoop Media