Rotary Provides 148 Emergency Kits to NEMO for distribution by MORDI
The Rotary Club of Nuku’alofa works with Rotary New Zealand World Community Service (RNZWCS) to ensure that Tonga has a supply of the Emergency Recovery Kits available for events like TC Harold. Last time these were used were for TC Gita. Since then two new containers have been in place.
Following the needs assessment by NEMO and MORDI a request was sent to Rotary on 14 April to release half of one of the containers to assist with the Immediate Response to assist affected populations on Tongatapu and ‘Eua. Approval was provided on the 15th. NEMO directs where the distribution is to take place to avoid duplication, while MORDI handles the distribution through its network. Distribution took place during 15-16 April.
90 of the 148 kits were taken by the Navy boat to ‘Eua for distribution by MORDI with the District and Town Officers.
As noted by Stuart Batty, Executive Director of RNZWCS, the experience, around the Pacific, during the past 35 years, shows how valuable the Kits are to the recipients for rapid distribution following such disasters. This helps fill an urgent gap while longer term support is being mobilized.
Rotary Club of Nuku’alofa and RNZWC will be seeking to have a replacement container in Tonga before the start of the next cyclone season.