Michael Hartfield and Murray Overton, the directors of Anglican Missions and Christian World Service have written a joint statement:

“Thank you for generously supporting the Anglican Missions and Christian World Service appeals for the people of Tonga, following the volcanic eruption and tsunami earlier this year. There has been an amazing response with more than $740,000 raised across our two organisations.

Funds have been used to provide essential items for affected communities including food, water and tools to help in the clean-up. With the immediate response now over, our attention is turning to longer-term rebuilding and recovery. Our partners on the ground are now repairing gardens and rainwater tanks, and replenishing vital emergency supplies in readiness for future disasters. They are also helping with community-based psychosocial support with particular provision for children. Your donations are helping people to establish small poultry farms and other new opportunities to build livelihoods in the months ahead.

Standing together makes such a difference and we are grateful that you have stood with us. Thank you for being part of these community response and recovery efforts which include strengthening local resilience so communities are prepared and able to respond to future disasters.

We will report again mid-June on progress. Please keep the people of Tonga in your prayers – they have been through so much. Our respective websites carry more information.”

CWS reports the Tonga Community Development Trust has appointed new staff and is working through its Ama Takiloa women’s network with affected communities in ‘Eua, Ha’apai and Tongatapu.