Tonga Tsunami Relief Effort 2022
NZ$181,353.53
Raised
990
Donations
NZ$100,000
Goal
Together we've raised over $150,000 - which will provide even more support.
Read our UPDATE below
At Heilala community is everything. We don't simply support the people of the small Pacific Island Tonga. The people of Tonga are the lifeblood of our business. They are our partners, colleagues, workmates, family and friends. As a result, Heilala can have a significant impact for good on the health and lives of the children and families of Tonga.
Heilala’s New Zealand based team was devastated to learn of the enormous volcanic eruption and follow-on tsunami that occurred in the Kingdom of Tonga on 15th January 2022. The people of Tonga need our help – today, tomorrow and in the foreseeable future. To get things started, Heilala Vanilla Ltd has donated NZD $25,000 to the Heilala Vanilla Foundation to assist with critical needs, which will include food and water security, along with other supplies.
Heilala’s roots are in disaster response, and the company has been working closely with their Tongan community since Cyclone Waka 20 years ago, in 2002. In the coming days as we are able, Heilala Vanilla will be liaising with various agencies and partners on the ground in Tonga to provide assistance where most needed.
Your donation to the Heilala Vanilla Foundation will provide support and assistance to the victims of this natural disaster and we will be providing updates as we work with our partners.
Every cent of the funds donated goes directly to response efforts with the Heilala Vanilla Limited covering all administrative and associated costs required for the foundation to carry out its work.
Ofa Atu
Jennifer Boggiss
CEO and Co-Founder
Heilala Vanilla
www.heilalavanilla.co.nz/pages/sustainability
UPDATE - 21 January, 2022
Almost a week ago, a volcanic eruption and tsunami in the Kingdom of Tonga has sadly resulted in loss of life and caused widespread devastation, wiping out crops and polluting drinking water sources for thousands of people across the island nation.
On Monday we announced our ambitious fundraising goal NZD $100,000 for the — Tongan Tsunami Relief Effort.
Thanks to unprecedented support from you, our friends and family around the globe, the campaign quickly surpassed its $100,000 goal. We are now setting our sights even higher.
There is a looming crisis after the volcanic eruption and tsunami of damaged and destroyed crops and un-drinkable water for tens of thousands of people.
Our extended goal will build on the campaign’s extraordinary momentum in increasing funding for supporting smallholder farmers and their families through our on ground partner MORDI. MORDI are a registered NGO (non-governmental organisation) aiding rural isolated communities of Tonga through sustainable community development.
Through MORDI, who are based in Tonga, we are able to better understand the most immediate needs and support a greater number of communities affected by the eruption and tsunami by providing support and funds as quickly as possible. We had our first contact with MORDI yesterday who have described the devastation as simply ‘the worst disaster imaginable’.
The combined impact of the tsunami and the volcanic ash which has already started to turn crops yellow making them inedible.
Increased funding support will enable us to continue to provide further immediate food supplies along with farming tools and equipment, and supplies for food security including seeds and the setting up of nurseries in each village for planting new crops.
Our community have shown us that when you think and dream big, you can reach further. The further we can reach, the bigger the impact we can have as we know in the coming weeks and month the people in Tongan communities will need our help more than ever.
Ofa Atu
Jennifer Boggiss
UPDATE - 28 January 2022
12 days after the devastating volcanic eruption and tsunami in Tonga, we are relieved and so thankful to have had the first communication from our team in Vava’u Tonga. ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
“Jennifer, I am okay with all my little family, and also the Vava’u family are all okay” was the note we received over Facebook messenger from our manager Sela - the update we had been waiting for. ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
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We are yet to have direct communication with our team and network of farmers on ‘Eua but we understand that the damage is widespread with more than 40 homes destroyed and crops badly affected.⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
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The impact of this disaster will be felt for years to come but thanks to you, we have raised NZD $145,000 to support the people of Tonga. ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
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What has your support enabled?⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
- Eleven pallets of non-perishable food were prepared and shipped last week with supplies for 180 families which will last several weeks. These food shipments will continue until the immediate food shortage is alleviated.⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
- Depth sounders to enable essential items to be safely delivered via boat to the rural communities by @MORDI_Tonga. With the dramatic change to the coastlines and the washing away of wharves, this equipment will help facilitate a safe delivery to the communities in need. This much-needed equipment was sent sent on an Orion flight yesterday.⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
- 5 x VHF radio units to enable essential communication with outer islands that continue to be isolated.⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
- Once the immediate needs are met, our medium-term focus will shift to establishing seedling nurseries which will involve providing and planting seeds, as well as building materials and resourcing for the nurseries over multiple locations, to ensure vegetable plants get to the rural communities impacted to provide ongoing food security.⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
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Thank you for your ongoing love and support⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
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The Heilala team
UPDATE - 5 February, 2022
TONGA UPDATE ♥️
Today marks 3 weeks since the catastrophic volcanic eruption and tsunami hit Tonga. Since Monday there has been a developing Covid 19 situation (Tonga has been Covid free until now) which has presented additional challenges . In the last week we have had daily communication from our team on the island of ‘Eua where over 40 families have been displaced along with families from other local islands. We understand they have lost everything.
Together we have now raised over $152,000 and are in the process of purchasing, co-ordinating & shipping the following relief:
✏️ School Packs for kids
A heavy layer of ash has covered the school so children can’t play outside. Combined with Covid lockdown, classes are not operating.
🍚 Ongoing non-perishable food supplies as food is still in short supply.
💧 Water blasters, hoses & brooms to assist the clean-up efforts of the many farmers and families affected.
🌱 Nursery Supplies
Vegetable Seeds, pots, weed mats, and potting mix to set up the first nursery on ‘Eua enabling distribution of seedlings to communities once ready for re-planting. The medium term project will centre around setting up a number of nurseries to provide ongoing food security of fruit and vegetables across multiple islands and communities.
🌡 Covid Kits containing thermometers, Panadol, throat lozenges, masks, tissues and sanitiser
👚 Clothing
There is a genuine need for clothing going to families and households who have lost everything.
Thank you for your ongoing support as we continue to navigate the aftermath of the combined natural disasters.
The resilience, strong faith and family centered culture of the communities affected is truly amazing and we are working closely with our partners on the ground to continually support as best we can 🇹🇴 ♥️
Donor Wall197
Butter& | NZ$3,040.40
Jan | NZ$104.30
Desirée | $71.96
With Blessings, Prayers & Hope for Beloved Tonga - stay strong & faithful🙏
Mary | NZ$104.31
Kia kaha Tonga from Arizona, USA
KBP Lawyer Ltd | NZ$260.07
George Wilson | NZ$519.68
You are fantastic people and deserve support. You vision is commendable.
Margaret | NZ$100
Tendai | NZ$50
Abodo Wood Ltd | NZ$1,310
We are matching donations individually made my our Abodo team dollar for dollar
Justin Crane | $21.08
I support the much needed relief efforts that the Heilala Vanilla Foundation is doing for the Kingdom of Tonga. Sending hugs and ❤! City Island NY supports you!!
Catherine | NZ$104.31
Jacqui | NZ$208.15
The Tongan people were generous to us in Christchurch after our earthquakes. Time to repay them.
Colin | NZ$104.32
Anonymous | NZ$52.40
Fred Brendel | $52.23
#TongaStrong
Sap Contract Services Ltd | NZ$104.32
JNMC | NZ$2,500
Replenish Papamoa Limited | NZ$52.40
Hoping for a speedy recovery.
Amy | NZ$104.32
Thank you to the beautiful people of Tonga for working so hard to give us your excellent vanilla. Now it is time for us to give back to you. Out thoughts and prayers are with you.
Fay | $34
Mandy | NZ$104.31
Bronwyn | $104.15
Thank you for helping the community during these hard times.
Anonymous | NZ$104.31
Heilala, thanks for a good job and stay strong Tonga!
Angela and Kim | NZ$260.07
Thanks to Jennifer and the Heilala team for organising this appeal as our thoughts go out to the people of Tonga.
Amelie | NZ$100
Maher & Sara | NZ$100
Stay strong everyone, we are thinking of you and wish you all well and a quick recovery.
Tony | NZ$200
Stay strong Tonga. Our thoughts and prayers are with you all at this trying time
Fran | NZ$20
Kia kaha from London, Fran
Anonymous | NZ$10.85
From me, in London, for the Tongan people via Heilala Vanilla via Crosstown Doughnuts 🖤
Jennifer Pearson | NZ$104.31
Well done Heilala. Kia kaha Tonga