On 15th January, a volcano beneath the sea off the coast of Tonga erupted – sending an ash cloud 18km into the sky, and tsunami waves that have caused devastation across the nation’s largest island, Tongatapu.
The Pacific islands were blanketed in a layer of volcanic ash, while in coastal areas the waves have torn down trees and ripped buildings apart.
The effects of the disaster will be far-reaching, impacting the Tonga Community for months, possibly years to come. Communication remains problematic with international and inter-island call still not possible due to the damage to the undersea cable.
RAWCS has registered a Rotary Australia Relief Fund project to seek financial assistance from Rotary Clubs, the public and private sector, for humanitarian programs to assist the people in Tonga to recover from the volcano and tsunami disaster.
They will be working with Rotary New Zealand World Community Service (RNZWCS) and Rotary Club of Nuku'alofa (Tonga) in providing aid and assistance to the affected communities' and restoring their livelihoods.
The aim is to get Tonga back to normality as soon as possible so that they can look after their own communities again.
The target for the Appeal is $1,000,000. You can donate by pressing DONATE.
Note that donations to the RAWCS Relief Fund are tax deductible.
Any amount will assist. Thank you.