In February 2018, Cyclone Gita hit southern Tonga, impacting more than 80,000 people.
In February 2018, Cyclone Gita hit southern Tonga, impacting more than 80,000 people.
On 12 February 2018, Cyclone Gita smashed into southern Tonga, impacting more than 80,000 people.
The Category Four cyclone was the most severe tropical cyclone to ever make landfall in Tonga, causing widespread destruction to homes, water supply systems, farmland, and livelihoods.
In total, 4,000 homes were damaged and more than 800 were totally destroyed. 80 per cent of households in Tonga were left without power.
To meet the immense need, CARE Australia partnered with MORDI Tonga Trust and Live & Learn Environmental Education to rapidly deliver emergency supplies to the most vulnerable families across Tongatapu and ‘Eua.
“Our house was completely destroyed,” said Nesi, who lives on ‘Eua Island. Fortunately, MORDI arrived very quickly to provide relief. “MORDI came in with tarps and a shelter kit. This really helped and put a smile back on my face.”
With your support, CARE, MORDI and Live & Learn have worked tirelessly since that day to ensure as many people as possible are safe, and have the resources to survive.
Donate to CARE’s ongoing post-Cyclone Gita recovery work below.
Your support has helped CARE and our partners reach more than 10,500 people so far:
- 6,086 people received emergency shelter materials
- 8,380 people received seedlings to regrow their farmland
- 4,793 people have been trained to rebuild their houses with safer techniques
- 3,518 people provided with relief supplies like flashlights, blankets and soap
This has been made possible thanks to the kindness of our donors, who include the European Commission, the Australian Government, the New Zealand Government, Rotary, and of course, the Australian public. On behalf of the children and families you’ve helped in their time of greatest need, thank you for your generous support.
But our work in emergencies is never done, please donate to our Global Emergency Fund to help families caught up in emergencies around the world.
Your help is still needed
Immediately after a disaster, getting lifesaving supplies to those affected is the top priority. As the months, and even years go on, the focus shifts to long-term recovery efforts. For example, in Tonga, CARE is now focusing on building back stronger and safer, and ensuring that women’s voices are strengthened to lead in the event of another emergency. Many women trained by CARE have become leaders in their communities and are driving disaster-preparedness measures to improve their country’s safety and strengthen their resilience to ongoing challenges like climate change and El Nino.
Your donation to our Global Emergency Fund means we can immediately provide lifesaving aid to those who need it most, and continue to support communities to be prepared and ready for when disaster strikes.
Donate by phone
Call 1800 020 046 toll free and pay by credit card.
Donations over $2 are tax deductible.
Should the funds raised through an emergency appeal exceed the amount required to meet the immediate and longer term needs of the people in the affected areas, or if there are changes in circumstances beyond CARE’s control which limit its ability to utilise all funds in the affected areas, CARE will direct excess funds to other emergency relief activities in the future.
Monthly donation will go to emergency relief & preparedness activities where it is needed most.
Image from NASA LANCE/Rapid Response
