By Rachael Bayliss-Chan,
NUKU'ALOFA - Tonga on Sunday marked one year since three people died in a devastating volcanic eruption and subsequent tsunami that caused widespread destruction, with the Pacific nation steadily progressing in rebuilding damaged homes and infrastructure.
The eruption of the undersea Hunga-Tonga-Hunga-Ha'apai volcano in January last year was one of the largest recorded in the modern era, sending tsunami across the Pacific Ocean and causing extensive damage to homes, infrastructure and disruption to water supplies and communication networks in Tonga.
Recovery efforts have progressed smoothly, though initially hampered by the coronavirus brought into the country in the process of foreign aid delivery. All volcanic ash and debris have been cleared from villages and roads on the main island of Tongatapu, and life has returned to normal for much of the population.
Speaking Friday at a commemoration exhibition hosted by the government, Tonga's acting prime minister Samiu Vaipulu paid tribute to the massive response from donor countries, international partners and the Tongan diaspora, according to a statement posted on the Facebook page of the prime minister's press team.
"The unprecedented volcanic eruption was met with unprecedented levels of assistance," the statement said. "This assistance is still required for the medium- to long-term recovery phase and continues to be provided by local, regional and international partners."
Recovery work is ongoing with the repair of damaged underwater communication cables and the relocation of hard-hit communities.
In December, some weeks before the anniversary, residents from the low-lying outer islands of 'Atata and Mango were permanently relocated to new settlements on the main island Tongatapu and the third-largest island, 'Eua, respectively.
Villages on 'Atata and Mango islands close to the volcano were almost completely destroyed in the disaster and have remained uninhabited since.
Dorothy Folau, 46, from 'Atata island, spoke to Kyodo News earlier this month shortly after moving into one of 22 homes built at the newly opened village of 'Atata Si'i, or 'Atata junior, on Tongatapu.
Though the one bedroom house provided by the government is not large enough for her family, Folau said they are just happy to finally have a base. While she loves 'Atata island, Folau said she wanted to relocate as the island would continue to be threatened by future disasters and sea-level rises.
However, for residents of Kanokupolu, a village on the west coast of Tongatapu that was severely damaged in the disaster, delays in a relocation project are causing frustration and sadness as families continue to live in makeshift shelters, tents or damaged homes.
Siosi'ana Lealiki, 71, lives with her family of five in a single small room, the only part of her house that remained standing after the tsunami. Her son and daughter-in-law sleep in a bed on the back of a pickup truck parked alongside, sheltered from the elements by a tarpaulin.
According to Lealiki, conflict over land allotment in the new settlement in another part of Tongatapu has delayed the relocation project, with construction yet to begin.
Without a relocation date in sight, Lealiki said her family cannot deal with waiting much longer, as they live in fear that another disaster might hit.
Some 84 percent of Tonga's population was affected by the disaster, which caused an estimated $90.4 million in damage, according to the government.
International aid played a significant role in the recovery process, with missions from Japan, the United States and Australia among others assisting.
Related coverage:
6 months on from eruption, tsunami, Tongans look to future
