Tongan Olympian Raises Funds for Native Land After Volcanic Eruption
January 21, 2022
Celebrated Tongan Olympic flagbearer, Pita Taufatofua, is working to support his Pacific Island homeland following the devastating January 15 volcanic eruption which could be seen from space and triggered a tsunami that spread across the nation and was felt as far away as the west coast of the United States. His GoFundMe campaign raised more than $610,000 to date and is on track to reaching its AUD $1,000,000 goal.
The UNICEF ambassador, climate activist and youth advocate is one of Tonga’s most popular athletes, competing in taekwondo and cross-country skiing. He is currently training in Brisbane, Australia where he is trying to qualify for the 2022 Beijing Winter Olympics. While there he is also dedicating his time, efforts and platform to support relief efforts after the massive underwater Hunga-Tonga-Hunga-Ha'apai volcano eruption destroyed communities, homes and left three dead as reported so far and many injured.
The volcanic plume extended over the country’s 170 islands - 36 of which are inhabited - impacting the population of more than 100,000 people, knocking out the power grid and covering the islands in water and ash. The resulting tsunami had waves up to 49 feet (15 meters) high. According to experts, the eruption was likely the biggest volcanic event recorded since Mount Pinatubo erupted in the Philippines in 1991.
Taufatofua is working to elevate public awareness of the disaster and funds, saying that Tonga needs the help of the world with “initial priority for the funds will go towards those most in need, infrastructure and damage to schools, hospitals etc.” Clean up efforts are ongoing, with rescue personnel working to deliver safe drinking water as a matter of priority and restore communications.
He recently told ESPN, "[There's also the] respiratory health of the people breathing in this sulfur-rich dust. And what we're just finding out now is that there's the devastating impact on agriculture as well. Because in the long term, the volcanic ash is good for the soil. In the short term, it destroys plant life. There's no photosynthesis because every leaf is covered. And then if it were to rain, you have acidic rain."
"[Climate change] is a big topic in the Pacific -- in Tonga, Fiji, Samoa, all of the islands -- because we're seeing it happen. I do understand the climate has always been changing. We've gone through ice ages. But the level and the speed of the change ... it's meant to happen over 10, 20,000 years. Not over a few."
Rugby teams Melbourne Storm and the New Zealand Warriors will be dedicating their upcoming pre-season game to the people of Tonga. The ‘Unite for Tonga’ match will be played at Casey Fields in Melbourne, Australia on February 19 with a range of initiatives to be announced in the coming weeks to allow members and supporters of both clubs to donate to the cause.
For many years, players of Tongan descent have featured for both clubs, including Felise Kaufusi and George Jennings who are part of Melbourne Storm, and Addin Fonua-Blake, Ben Murdoch-Masila, Dallin Watene-Zelezniak, Eliesa Katoa, Taniela Otukolo and Viliami Vailea from the New Zealand Warriors.
When speaking on using his platform Taufatofua shared with journalists, "we have no choice, we can't run to our rooms and sit there and cry and wish. Now is the time for us to work and help our country."
He also noted, "I'm just one of many people who are trying to help...And the government is doing a fantastic job. People around the world have been helping. It's not just the people who are donating, it's [getting the story out there], and this has allowed more governments to now come in and help us as well."