Tongan Deputy PM surveys Cyclone Gita recovery with ADF Featured
Speaker of Parliament Lord Fakafanua and Deputy Prime Minister Semisi Sika onboard ADF Helicopter
15 June, 2018. Deputy Prime Minister of Tonga, the Hon Semisi Sika and other senior government representatives, have surveyed areas of Tongatapu and ‘Eua damaged by Tropical Cyclone Gita earlier this year with the Australian Defence Force.
Two helicopters from HMAS Adelaide transported Deputy Prime Semisi Sika, Lord Speaker Fakafanua, Disaster Management Minister Poasi Tei and MP for ‘Eua Tevita Lavemaauover the islands to inspect recovery progress from the air.
HMAS Adelaide is alongside Vuna Wharf in Nuku’alofa for Indo-Pacific Endeavour 2018 (IPE), one of the Australian Defence Force’s most significant regional engagement activities.
IPE is focussed on enhancing existing joint capability through bilateral training and engagement activities with Australia’s regional partners.
Captain Jim Hutton of the Royal Australian Navy joined the survey flight and said the damage caused on Tongatapu and the neighbouring island of ‘Eua was clear evidence that regional partnerships were vital during natural disasters.
“Tropical Cyclone Gita was last season’s most severe cyclone in the South Pacific. The fact that so many people lost their homes or crops here in Tonga is truly saddening.”
“The Australian Government was able to provide emergency supplies via the Royal Australian Air Force the day after Gita made landfall, delivering life-saving equipment, emergency shelters, and kitchen and hygiene kits.”
“Our ability to respond so quickly during natural disasters is borne from our long history of working together and continuing to engage through activities like Indo-Pacific Endeavour.”
Australian High Commissioner to Tonga Andrew Ford said “Australia has provided $14 million in assistance and support to help the people of Tonga recover and rebuild following Cyclone Gita.”
“Today’s survey flight allowed senior Tongan government ministers to survey the damage and recovery on ‘Eua for the first time since the cyclone.”
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A good public relation exercise by the government and the Australian navy , a gesture by a benevolent friend , always ready to assist , and for the government to show that it's concerned by the devastation . To the people as a whole it projects the image that everything possible is being done for the the welfare of the people affected by TC Gita . This cyclone relief FARCE has gone on for too long , its time to stop the tomfoolery of the people responsible and get the worst affected area back to normal ASAP . By the time the next cyclone comes around they will still be muddling along with the recovery from Gita . The amount of aids pouring into the country for cyclone relief should be more than sufficient to , move things along at a much faster pace . Why is the department responsible dragging its feet ? Why the chopper ride ? didn't anyone of the elite from government went out to do a survey of the area affected ? or as aforementioned just a show for the benefit of both ! for the government to show that it cares ,. for the Australian navy an opportunity to show the flag . THANK YOU to all the donor countries for the help . It's now up to us to get our acts together , so life could get back to normal again . . . .