Minister Brophy announces €250,000 for response to the volcano and tsunami in Tonga
Press release
25 January 2022In response to the volcanic eruption in Tonga, Minister of State for Overseas Development Aid and Diaspora, Colm Brophy, T.D., has announced €250,000 in aid to respond to the crisis.
Minster Brophy said:
“I have today approved Irish Aid funding of €250,000 in response to the devastation caused by the eruption of the Hunga Tonga Hunga Ha'api underwater volcano. Approximately 85,000 people - 84% of the population - have been impacted by ash and a tsunami following the volcano.
“This funding is an expression of Ireland’s solidarity with the people of Tonga as they cope with a crisis which has affected almost the entire population of the country. My thoughts are with those affected by the devastation and those that have lost loved ones.
“The assistance that I am announcing today will be provided to the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies (IFRC) and will support the work of the Red Cross in Tonga. Irish assistance will enable the provision of water and sanitation, emergency shelter and essential household items and health support for people affected by the eruption.”
Note for Editors:
- The Hunga-Tonga-Hunga-Ha’apai undersea volcano, located approximately 65 kilometres north of Tonga’s main island of Tongatapu, erupted on 15th January. Ashfall and a tsunami following the eruption affected an estimated 85,000 people, 84% of the population.
- The majority of the country has been impacted by volcanic ash, which is affecting water and food supplies and negatively impacting air quality. The volcano triggered a tsunami which affected islands across Tonga and elsewhere in the region.
- Three fatalities have so far been confirmed in Tonga but authorities fear that this figure could rise as contact is made with worst affected areas.
- The IRFC has already contributed 430,000 Swiss Francs to relief efforts in Tonga through its Disaster Relief Emergency Fund (DREF). Ireland is consistently one of the top 10 donors to the DREF and contributed €1m to the fund in 2021.
- The European Commission is also supporting the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies (IFRC) to respond to the crisis with humanitarian aid funding of €200,000.