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World Bank Disaster Assessment Report estimates damages following Hunga Tonga Hunga Ha’apai volcanic eruption and tsunami at TOP$208m (US$90M)

A World Bank assessment for the Government of Tonga has found the Tonga HungaTonga-Hunga-Ha’apai volcanic eruption, tsunami and ashfall has caused an estimated T$208m (US$90M) in damages – the equivalent of approximately 18.5% of Tonga’s Gross Domestic Product (GDP)

Following a request from the Government of Tonga, the World Bank undertook a rapid post-disaster damage assessment deploying the GRADE methodology.

The people of Tonga are still overwhelmed with the impact of a volcanic eruption at Hunga Tonga – Hunga Ha’apai, tantamount to an earthquake, on Saturday evening, 15th January, 2022.  The catastrophe triggered tsunami waves, causing illness / injury / death, extensive and catastrophic damages to houses, assets, water & sanitation, vegetation and the environment. Most devastated were nearby islands in Ha’apai, ‘Eua,  ‘Atata, and west and north coast of  Tongatapu.

Global Economy