Appeal for Tonga raises more than $300,000 in supplies

“One of the aspects is how incredibly well positioned the Tongan health system is to manage the COVID outbreak”

The Pasifika Medical Association is pleased with the “incredible response” to its appeal for medical and other supplies which are due to sail to Tonga this weekend.

Tonga was devastated by a volcanic eruption and tsunami on 15 January that displaced over 150 families. It has since had an outbreak of COVID-19 after the virus entered the country during foreign relief efforts. 

Early this month, the PMA called for donations of medical supplies and money to fill a relief container and released a list of items requested by the Ministry of Health in Tonga, which included everything from PPE and rapid antigen tests to a wide range of drugs and medical equipment. 

PMA chief executive Debbie Sorensen says the container load of goods and equipment is worth more than $300,000, with key partners playing a significant role in filling the supply list. Moana Pasifika, the Super Rugby team, alone donated $60,000 worth of supplies, including sports equipment.

DHBs, Tongan Nurses Association of New Zealand, Medical Aid Abroad and many others also contributed, Mrs Sorensen says.

“I think in this container we’ve met the list [of requirements] but I wouldn’t be surprised if we put out a second callout.

“A number of community clinics are working as a COVID hubs and are also in need of equipment.”

The PMA’s Pacific Medical Assistance Team (PACMAT) has been on stand by to go to Tonga since the end of January but was delayed because of the risk of spreading COVID-19 in Tonga.

Mrs Sorensen says with Omicron now established in the island nation, the PACMAT team has been given the green light and is due to leave on 30 March. But rather than medics, the eight-member team will be a largely psycho-social mix with nurses, social workers and counsellors, who all speak Tongan.

PMA is working with a women’s crisis centre in Tonga Tapu to provide support for people traumatised by the volcanic eruption and tsunami, as well as being anxious about the spread of COVID.

The team is on a five-week rotation and on their return the PMA will consider whether to send another team.

Mrs Sorensen says a long-term commitment is required with COVID cases rising as well as the country dealing with many people who lost their homes and needing to be re-housed.

“It’s ongoing work and a huge challenge around food security, planting crops and rebuilding,” she says.

RNZ reports the disaster left more than 84 per cent of the country covered with volcanic ash and the cost of recovery is estimated to be more than over $US90 million. The recovery process has been severely hampered by the COVID outbreak that began in February.

However, Mrs Sorensen says health workers have coped well with the challenges so far. “One of the aspects is how incredibly well positioned the Tongan health system is to manage the COVID outbreak.”

All parts of the system from medical workers to the Government and public health staff, have pulled together to manage the pandemic in a calm, committed way, she says.

For anyone wishing to help further, Mrs Sorensen suggests donating to the Red Cross or other fundraising organisations, as there is a range of fundraising activities under way across New Zealand.