Lt. Governor presents American Samoa’s aid to the Kingdom of Tonga

Pago Pago, AMERICAN SAMOA — On behalf of the American Samoa people, Lt. Governor Talauega Ale yesterday presented over half a million dollars to the Kingdom of Tonga to aid in the wake of the Hunga Tonga-Hunga Ha’apai eruption, ashfall, and tsunami.

In attendance over zoom were Tonga’s Prime Minister Hu’akavameiliku Siaosi Sovaleni, Deputy Prime Minister Poasi Tei, Minister for Finance Tatafu Moeaki, members of the ASG cabinet, and Reverend Tevita Paea, president of the Tongan Community in American Samoa.

 In a press release issued yesterday the Lt. Governor said, “While the people and Government of the Kingdom of Tonga have begun rebuilding and healing from difficulties caused by the disaster, much like American Samoa, the coronavirus has made its way to the shores of Tonga after more than two years of remaining COVID free. The Pasefika stands united. American Samoa stands shoulder-to-shoulder  with the people of Tonga, who have shown such incredible resilience.”

As a result of the Fesoasoani mo Tonga Humanitarian Drive that took place earlier this year, in total, American Samoa and the local Tongan Community donated $550,000 ($1.2 million Tongan paanga), and 18 containers filled with nonperishable goods, clothing, and bottled water. American Samoa will also be sending 5 additional containers of sanitation items and other resources to assist in Tonga’s fight against COVID-19 at a later date.

The Lemanu-Talauega administration expressed their sincerest gratitude to the people of Tutuila, Manu'a, Aunu'u and Olohega, “Without your generosity the Fesoasoani mo Toga Humanitarian Drive would not have been a success. We are blessed to receive the support of Church Leaders and their Congregations, District and Village Leaders, Department and Agencies, Companies and Small Businesses, Communities and Schools, Societies and Organizations, and all individual donors heeded the call for help.”

(Source: Governor’s Office press release)