Women’s Leadership in Humanitarian Crisis: Tonga

**crosspost from the Shifting the Power Coalition**

On the 15th of January 2022, the Hunga Tonga Hunga Ha'apai volcano erupted in Tonga. The powerful eruption was biggest the world has seen in 30 years and caused an enormous ripple effect across the region with major ashfall and an impending tsunami. By January 16th, the tsunami had hit Tonga’s capital Nuku'alofa by January 16th. As a result of the eruption, Tonga was cut off to the rest of the world due to a broken underwater communications cable, which has impeded updates on the level of devastation caused.

I was finally able to speak to Vanessa Heleta the Executive Director of the Talitha Project, Tonga at 530pm FJT - Thursday 20 January.

“Not having (communication) connection in the past few days, I really appreciate everyone who has tried to be in contact - all our staff and volunteers are okay” says Vanessa Heleta Executive Director of the Talitha Project, Tonga, our Shifting the Power Coalition partner in Nukualofa, Tonga.

Vanessa and the Talitha Project are building on their collaboration with NEMO to drive an inclusive emergency response.

After what has already been a long day Vanessa was preparing to head back to NEMO to collect the latest assessment report: “We are thankful to be alive but there is a long way to recover, everyone is still in shock; we shut down for COVID19 but now we need assistance.”

Vanessa shared how she organised her daughter and niece as well as neighbours to get into her van to drive to higher ground as they saw large waves move into the mainland:

“I have never been this scared; we got into the van - my daughter and niece and neighbours, to move to higher ground. The grandma from next door was carrying a baby and they all got in. I drove away as I saw the waves rolling in; I never imagined to see waves like this.”

While managing a household and ensuring her staff and volunteers are safe, Vanessa has kept track of participants of the Talitha Project's GIRLS’ programme, organising emergency assistance with the support of funds made available via the Shifting the Power Coalition.

Close to 50 girls from the villages of Kanokupolu and Haau whose homes have been destroyed have been provided with emergency assistance in the past few days:

“I bought 30 boxes of water. We are also making sure our staff and volunteers have supplies as well. I bought $2000TOP worth of water, as well as masks. These girls have been in our programme and I have already visited these villages using the StPC funds. Water is the biggest priority. We also bought food, crackers, toilet paper and dignity kits. I've been taking clothes, shoes, crockery etc.”

As she drives through the villages, she sees people queuing up for water: “these need to be distributed especially for children and young people” says Vanessa who is also handing out masks to young people and children as well:

“We are praying for rain to wash our houses. We are wearing masks and covering our arms and legs because the ash is already causing rashes from exposure to the ash.”

*** As we continue to monitor official updates from Tonga we will continue to support Talitha Project Tonga, in their locally driven efforts to respond to the current crisis and ensure that women, including young women, women with disabilities as well as the LGBTQ community have a voice in the immediate and longer-term recovery effort***