Action by Churches Together (ACT)
Update - Tonga 01-2002
Rehabilitation for Hurricane Waka Victims * PATA21
Geneva,  24 May 2002


ACT partner, Tonga National Council of Churches (TNCC), has commenced
implementation of the rehabilitation programme for Victims of Hurricane
Waka. The funds received thus far are sufficient to construct 5 hurricane
proof houses.

The following steps were taken to decide where the houses would be built
and for which families. This was not an easy process as many more families
still hope to receive assistance.

In consultation with Caritas it was agreed that the 5 families would be
selected from villages other than those where Caritas is working. Caritas
has started with 10 houses in three villages (Leimatu'a, Ta'anea and
Mataika).

The National Disaster report was used by TNCC to select 5 villages marked
as severely damaged.

It was decided to work together with the Vava'u National Youth Office as
it has a strong network at the community level.

In consultation with the Vava'u National Disaster Representative and with
the President of Vava'u National Youth Office, one family was identified
in each of the selected 5 villages: Tu'anuku, Longomapu (Western District)
and Ha'akio, Tu'anekivale and Ha'alaufuli (Eastern District).

The criteria used for the identification of beneficiaries were: status of
houses (fully destroyed, living in temporary shelter); status of families
(widow, children more than 4 living together with parents, elderly - over
70); ability to contribute.

The selection was given the final approval from the TNCC Disaster
Management Team.



The building materials have been ordered from New Zealand and the
shipments are expected to arrive directly to Vava'u island in May and
June. A project co-ordinator has been identified as well as local
contractors and the construction will start directly after the arrival of
the first shipment. The contractors will be used only for the skilled
work. The unskilled work will be done by the families and the village
youth as part of their community contribution.

Please note that Appeal, PATA 21, is still open. TNCC welcomes additional
funding to be able to assist more families in the reconstruction of their
houses, damaged during Hurricane Waka.


For further information please contact:

ACT Director, Thor-Arne Prois (phone ++41 22 791 6033 or mobile phone
++ 41 79 203 6055)
or
ACT Appeals Officer, Mieke Weeda (phone ++41 22 791 6035 or mobile phone
++ 41 79 285 2916)


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Action by Churches Together (ACT) is a worldwide alliance of churches and
their related agencies, meeting human need through co-ordinated emergency
response.  The ACT Coordinating Office is based with the World Council of
Churches (WCC) and the Lutheran World Federation (LWF) in Switzerland.
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   Ecumenical Centre                          Phone: ++41-22-791.60.33
   150, route de Ferney                         Fax: ++41-22-791.65.06
   P.O. Box 2100                             E-Mail: act@wcc-coe.org
   1211 Geneva 2                              Telex: 415 730 OIK CH
   Switzerland                                 http://www.act-intl.org


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