“The government, the people, the Church and other organisations are evaluating the impact of this calamity in order to begin the work of reconstruction, inviting the international community to help,” the cardinal said in a homily during a prayer service on January 24 for the people of the islands of Tonga.

Cardinal Czerny, interim prefect of the Dicastery for Promoting Integral Human Development, said Cardinal Soane Mafi of Tonga informed the office earlier in the day that the vast majority of the people “miraculously succeeded in avoiding the worst since only three people lost their life”.

“Nonetheless, the material damage is so enormously high that it will take a lot of time to return to normal life,” according to the Tongan cardinal, he said.

“The people have lost homes, fields, machinery and equipment for fishing and agriculture,” Cardinal Czerny told people gathered for the prayer at the Basilica of Santa Maria in Trastevere. The prayer service was sponsored by the Community of Sant’Egidio.

A massive underwater volcano erupted near Tonga on January 15, triggering a series of tsunamis that inundated coastal communities, destroying everything in its wake, contaminating water supplies with saltwater and cutting off power and communications. Ash, which continued to fall days after the blast, also was contaminating water sources and hampered initial efforts to bring in outside aid and rescue teams for the more than 100,000 people living on the archipelago’s islands.

Jim Garvin, chief scientist at NASA’s Goddard Space Flight Center, said the eruption was hundreds of times more powerful than the Hiroshima atomic bomb.

The eruption sent volcanic material as high as 25 miles (40 km.) into the atmosphere and generated tsunami waves up to 49 feet (15 m.) high, the agency said Jan. 24 on its earthobservatory.nasa.gov website. The volcanic cloud extended to cover all the country’s roughly 170 islands, it added.

Cardinal Czerny said the people there welcomed “with joy and gratitude” Pope Francis’ appeal on January 19 for prayers.

The cardinal said, “prayer seeks to reduce the distance (between people) and overcome the isolation”.

Local and regional Caritas organisations immediately swung into action and have been providing emergency supplies, such as water, food, clothing and blankets, he said.

“We turn to God, creator of the heavens and earth, so that he may raise these brothers and sisters from dejection and discouragement,” and that “our prayers may overcome all distances, showing our belonging to the one family of God”, he said.

Photo: Canadian Cardinal Michael Czerny, who is now interim prefect of the Dicastery for Promoting Integral Human Development, at the “Angels Unawares” statue in St Peter’s Square at the Vatican in 2020 (CNS Photo)

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“My thoughts go to the people of the islands of Tonga, struck in recent days by the eruption of the underwater volcano, which caused enormous material damage. I am spiritually close to all the people suffering, imploring God for the relief of their suffering,” the Pope said at the end of his general audience talk in the Vatican’s Paul VI audience hall on January 19.

“I invite everyone to join me in praying for these brothers and sisters,” he said.

The massive eruption on January 15 triggered a series of tsunamis that inundated coastal communities, destroying homes, contaminating water supplies and cutting off power and communications. Mounds of ash, which continued to fall from the volcano days after the blast, were also contaminating water sources and hampering efforts to bring in outside aid and rescue teams. However, there are concerns that bringing in aid from outside the region and distributing relief might spread the virus that causes Covid-19: Tonga recorded its first case in October.

At least three people have been reported dead in the Tonga region and two in Peru from tsunamis triggered by the eruption.

Meanwhile, Caritas Australia appealed for funds for Tonga, which was covered in a thick blanket of ash. The ash was preventing airplanes from landing to bring in needed aid.

It said coastal communities in Fiji, Samoa and Vanuatu were also impacted by tsunami waves, along with communities in Australia, Japan and the Americas.

The Polynesian nation’s one and only undersea communications cable was badly damaged, and it may take days or weeks to repair. Roads, bridges and homes along the coast were also damaged by the waves.

More than 104,000 people live in Tonga, and the government has appealed for immediate assistance.

Caritas Aotearoa New Zealand has offered an immediate Solidarity Grant to Caritas Tonga and is also receiving donations, through its Pacific Relief Fund, to help with the aftermath of the volcanic eruption in Tonga.

“Caritas is a key responder on the ground right now,” says Caritas Aotearoa New Zealand director Julianne Hickey. “We know that the recovery will be a difficult one, but the Caritas Tonga team are supported by a strong team of volunteers across all the island.” The Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade says: “Pre-positioned supplies held in country with our partners Caritas Aotearoa NZ and Caritas Tonga have been released. These supplies include a water purification unit, jerry cans, hygiene kits, buckets and water taps.”

Donations can be made to Caritas Aotearoa New Zealand online through the Pacific Relief Fund (www.caritas.org.nz/donate-online) or via their bank account 03-0518-0211216-00 (please include first & last name and put Tonga as the code).

Photo: People clean debris following a volcanic eruption and tsunami in Nuku’alofa, Tonga, in this picture obtained from social media. (CNS photo/courtesy of Marian Kupu/Broadcom Broadcasting FM87.5 via Reuters)

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