In response to the January 15, 2022 Hunga Tonga-Hunga Ha’apai volcano eruption and aftermath of the devastating tsunami that caused an unprecedented disaster to the island groups of Tongatapu, Ha’apai, Eua, and surrounding islands of the Kingdom of Tonga, a relief fund has been created through a collective of the Tongan American community.
COLLABORATION
The Tonga Relief Fund was created in partnership with Vakatasi, the MANA Learning Community at the College of San Mateo (CSM), Motivating Action Leadership Opportunity (MALO), Empowering Pacific Islander Communities (EPIC), National Council of Asian Pacific Americans (NCAPA), various academic institutions, agencies, businesses, and religious organizations. The mission of this collaborative effort is to provide direct mutual aid support to NGOs on the ground in Tonga who are working tirelessly around the clock to provide aid to those most affected. Donations to the relief fund will support the response, recovery and reconstruction of the most devastated areas of the Kingdom.
mutual aid
The collective has partnered with Mainstreaming of Rural Development Innovation (MORDI) Tonga Trust, a non-government organization that aims to improve the sustainable livelihoods of vulnerable communities in rural areas. After the volcano eruption and tsunami, MORDI Tonga Trust was the frontline of support of transporting people safely from impacted islands directly after the tsunami as well as transporting survival necessities including clean water.
The Tonga Relief Fund will support operational costs, equipment and raw building materials that MORDI identifies as needs through their assessment reports in order to successfully respond to the emergency and rebuild homes and communities.
Donations to the Tonga Relief Fund are accepted through SMCCC Foundation. Please select “Other” option from the drop-down menu and specify in the comment section that the donation is for the Tonga Relief Fund. This will ensure the donation is allocated appropriately.
Images courtesy of MORDI Tonga Trust
Mutual aid through
MORDI Tonga Trust
Response and recovery plan
MORDI TT's preliminary disaster assessment focuses on their respective 122 rural communities. As outlined in their findings, the Shelter Cluster has been identified as the greatest need unmet. In order for community development to occur, displaced communities must have long-term shelter. MORDI aims to provide not only shelter, but to build a home for its communities where they are able to thrive for many generations.
All donations received will fund the rebuilding of displaced communities of Kanokupolu and Mango.
122
Communities Helped by MORDI
7300
Households Assisted
39,300
People Reached
Why have we decided to go with the SMCCC Foundation as the fiscal agent for the Relief?
San Mateo County Community Colleges Foundation has been a long-time advocate of the CSM Mana Learning Community through student scholarship funds and co-creating Pacific Islander-centered spaces for learning and collaboration. As a 501(c)(3), SMCCC Foundation raises funds for student scholarships and school programs at the three community colleges in San Mateo County: Cañada College, College of San Mateo, and Skyline College.
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When you donate, you have the option of subscribing to receive updates on our relief efforts, as well as an assessment report detailing how your donations are helping the people of Tonga.
