FOLLOWING the massive eruption of the Hunga Tonga Hunga-Ha’apai underwater volcano that resulted in a powerful tsunami in their home island earlier this month, the Tongans on Saipan are holding a relief drive.
“This disaster has left our country struggling to regain its livelihood,” the Tongan community stated. “We decided, as only a handful of Tongans here on Saipan, to come together and try to help our families back home. The people of Tonga live off of their natural resources, the ocean and the land, for their daily needs. Unfortunately, these resources have been severely impacted by the volcanic eruption and the tsunami.”
The Tongan nationals on Saipan said their goal is to fill a cargo container with non-perishable food, drinking water, clothes, household items, and any other in-kind donation from the CNMI community.
They are aiming to have this cargo container filled by Saturday, Feb. 26, the day they intend to hold an in-person drive from 7 a.m. to 6 p.m. at the Garapan Fishing Base.
Donated items have already begun coming in through the generosity of local community members.
“We are humbly asking and reaching out to [you] for your consideration in any form of donations, to help us carry out our hope and wish to help our families in Tonga during this stressful and struggling time,” the Tongan community stated.
To donate items or to inquire about this relief drive, contact Ana McMahon at (670) 783-8290 or Veisinia Peteru at (670) 285-5334.
