The Secretariat of the Pacific Regional Environment Programme (SPREP) is deeply concerned about the impact of the Hunga Tonga - Hunga Ha’apai underwater volcano eruption, and tsunami, on the people of the Kingdom of Tonga.
In response, the Director General, Mr Kosi Latu, has assured that SPREP is standing by and ready to work with the Government of Tonga and partners to provide support, especially in dealing with the environmental impact of the natural disaster.
“First and foremost, we express our heartfelt sorrow at the loss of life as a result of the disaster,” Mr Latu said. “As people of the Pacific, we are a close-knit community and we share the pain of the loss of lives and the destruction of property. Our thoughts are also with the people of the Kingdom of Tonga as they move to deal with COVID-19 so soon after the devastation of the tsunami and the volcano. These are very difficult times but we are standing by to provide assistance where we are needed.”