PR94207

BEIJING, Jan. 24, 2022 /PRNewswire=KYODO JBN/ --

CGTN's Liu Xin reached out to Tonga's Legislative Assembly Speaker Lord

Fatafehi Fakafanua after volcanic eruptions and tsunami pounded the Pacific

Island nation, for an update on the situation. CGTN was among the first Asian

media outlets to speak to him. In her live interview, Liu Xin focused on the

humanitarian aspect of the crisis and what was needed urgently to mitigate it.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vJDdKjFHyv0

"The shockwaves went right through the body"

Fakafanua was traveling to New Zealand when the undersea Hunga Tonga-Hunga

Ha'apai volcano was smoldering. He was in New Zealand when it erupted and so,

was able to communicate with the rest of the world.

His wife Krystal, who was in Tonga, told him how shockwaves vibrated the entire

building where they live. It was a different feeling from an earthquake. The

shockwaves went right through the body.

While saddened by the loss of life -- three deaths had been confirmed by Jan 23

-- Fakafanua told Liu Xin the authorities were relieved that the toll wasn't

higher. He also shared some good news. Hopefully, schools would reopen soon,

probably on January 31.

A long road to recovery

However, communication in Tonga was still far from being back to normal. While

voice calls and texts were possible, emails were intermittent.

The politician felt the damage to infrastructure and the effects of the

volcanic ash and the tsunami would probably be felt for years to come.

The United Nations Food and Agriculture Organization echoed him, saying in a

statement on January 21 that the ashfall could have detrimental effects on

crops and livestock. Around 86 percent of Tongans are engaged in some form of

agriculture – either farming or raising livestock or fishing.

COVID major concern in relief efforts

Fakafanua said the international community had responded swiftly in providing

aid. However, "We need water, we need food."

Anti-COVID-19 efforts will also add to the difficulties in receiving external

assistance. Tonga, which has reported just one case of COVID-19 so far, is

receiving foreign relief assistance in a contact-less form to ensure there are

no new infections. All international humanitarian supplies are being dropped

off without the crew coming in contact with the islanders. China rushed cash

assistance and emergency supplies on January 20.

The Point with Liu Xin, CGTN's  flagship Talk show program, is a 30-minute

commentary on global news through Liu Xin's unique perspective. (387 words)  

https://news.cgtn.com/news/2022-01-22/How-did-people-in-Tonga-feel-Liu-Xin-spoke-to-its-parliament-speaker-172hqLbzJ2o/index.html

SOURCE CGTN

Image Attachments Links:

   Link: http://asianetnews.net/view-attachment?attach-id=413582

   Caption: How is Tonga coping after being battered by a volcanic eruption and ensuing

tsunami?