Press Release On Assistance Bank Accont

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. This was further severed by international and domestic communications breakdown. Residents of the islands of Mango, and ‘Atata were immediately evacuated and re-located to Tongatapu, due to complete destruction of housing, water and sanitation. Hence, the State of Emergency declaration effective on Sunday 16th January, 2022.  

The Government of Tonga is grateful for the immediate concern and rapid response of the International Community, Development Partners, and the Tongan Diaspora. All donations will be committed to the recovery and reconstruction post the eruption, and accounted for, using the Government financial management and reporting requirements. A Volcanic Eruption and Tsunami Assistance Account has thus been opened at the Bank of South Pacific Tonga Ltd. (BSP) at Nuku’alofa and can receipt donations from anywhere as per the details on ANNEX  I. If any problem arises in accessing the Account in reference, please do not hesitate to contact any of Tonga’s 9 diplomatic missions overseas with corresponding accounts listed in ANNEX II.