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Tonga

Tonga - Impact assessment indicates severe damage to agriculture following Tropical Storm in mid-February

Attachments

Incident/Event: Tropical Cyclone Rene

STREP No: 004

Date: 17th February, 2010

Time: 1100hrs

From: Manager NEMO

To: All Stakeholders

SITUATION General

Tropical Cyclone Rene has left behind scars that will remain for years especially at the main island where the past major hurricane was way back in 1982. Weather conditions all over the Kingdom of Tonga are generally fine and people are slowly returning to their daily routines. Clean up has progressed satisfactorily all over the country where government resources are complimenting the community efforts.

Government had commenced despatching survey teams around the major islands in the Kingdom while the far outlying ones are to be visited later since they are separated by deep oceans. Statistics so far shows that few houses have been completely destroyed while disruptions to infrastructure and lifelines are minimal. The agriculture sector is the most affected and estimates have since been determined.

Tonga Red Cross is closely working with the National Emergency Operations Committee to ensure basic humanitarian needs of victims that are met. In country resources are now being mobilised and international assistance have not yet been sought.