Video shows the wreckage on the streets and a destroyed water tank caused by Cyclone Gita inTonga. Source: Instagram / @macbrendon
A Tauranga company is fundraising to buy food, chainsaws, clothing, nappies and building materials for vanilla farmers on a cyclone-hit island in Tonga.
Tauranga-based Heilala Vanilla's vanilla beans are grown on plantations on the islands of 'Eua and Vava'u in Tonga, in partnership with local growers.
Tonga's main island, Tongatapu, and 'Eua, an island a few dozen kilometres to the southeast, were the worst hit when category four storm Cyclone Gita tore through a week ago.
Poli Kefu, from the Tongan Red Cross, said more than 400 homes were damaged or destroyed on 'Eua, which has a population of about 5000 spread across 13 villages and is home to more than 40 vanilla growers.
Speaking from 'Eua, Kefu said 70 per cent of the island's farms had been damaged in the storm, but most of the infrastructure had survived.
Told of the fundraiser, he said aid was "essential" for 'Eua's recovery.
WATCH || Our C-130H Hercules delivered aid and an initial assessment team to support Tonga in the wake of #CycloneGita. The agility of our people and equipment means that we can respond to emergency situations like this effectively alongside our partner agencies.#Force4Goodpic.twitter.com/Fl5gAjE5l8
Heilala Vanilla chief executive and co-founder Jennifer Boggiss said she had received reports of "widespread devastation to crops and buildings on 'Eua".
"There is an immediate need for non-perishable food, as well as machinery to help clear the fallen trees and debris.
"These communities are already vulnerable with limited resources to overcome natural disasters."
A damaged building on Eua. Photo supplied
The company's own crops had been damaged.
Boggiss said the beans were "hanging on" but their bonds were very weak and she expected most would fall off in the next week or so.
She estimated the company could lose roughly one tonne of vanilla beans.
It was a blow and there was a lot of work to do to make sure the established vines and host trees would recover to produce a crop next year.
"The initial focus is on getting the buildings back, then we will look at the crop. We are committed to Tonga."
Thank you for your messages of support over the last 24 hours. Winds of over 200kph hit the mainland of Tonga and island...
Heilala Vanilla has set up a donation page on its website to help send a shipment of non-perishable food, more than 20 chainsaws to clear cyclone debris, clothing, disposable nappies and building materials to repair damaged homes.
"Every dollar of the funds donated will go directly to the people in need on 'Eua. The company will cover all administrative and associated costs required for the Heilala Vanilla foundation to carry out its work."
The company, which started as an aid project to help communities recover from Cyclone Waka 10 years ago, was working to arrange transport for the supplies.
Boggiss said they had already received donations from New Zealand businesses including:
- 1000 long life milk bottles – Lewis Road Creamery - A selection of biscuits – The Griffin's Food Company - Chainsaw petrol and oil packs – Stihl Shop - Dart board and darts - Puma Darts
