Disaster Strikes Tonga

Tropical Cyclone Gita, the category 4 storm that struck Tonga this week, has caused widespread devastation across the country. While lives were spared, the damage and destruction is immense. Power and water supply for approximately 70,000 people have been cut off in the capital Nuku’alofa and many buildings have been damaged or completely destroyed. Multiple injuries have been reported with rescues occurring throughout the night due to people being trapped in their houses. ADRA is working with the Adventist church to assess the damage and formulate a response to the needs.

This Sabbath (February 17) is the Disaster and Famine Relief Offering in our churches. The offering helps ADRA respond in disasters wherever they strike. By having a strong global presence through our church, ADRA can respond to almost every disaster, empowering people to rebuild their lives. Generosity before disasters occur ensures ADRA can respond when disasters strike. That means providing food parcels, water filtration devices, hygiene packs, and shelter kits when people need them most.

How You Can Help

Your church can make a vital difference by supporting this appeal to mitigate the impact of disasters like Cyclone Gita by supporting and promoting this offering. Any response by ADRA in Tonga will come from this offering. ADRA has developed a resource kit to help you promote the offering in your church, including a video to play this Sabbath. Please visit www.adra.org.au/respond to download the resources and help raise as much money and awareness for this offering as possible. Funding for ADRA’s response in Tonga will come from this offering. Should members want their donation to only support those affected by Cyclone Gita andnot other disasters, they can donate directly at www.adra.org.au/Gita

It’s important to remember that ADRA donations over $2 are tax-deductible, so the donation slips in the resource kit should be distributed in each church for those who want a receipt or don’t have cash on the day. Alternatively, online donations are quick and easy to do.

Thank you again for your ongoing support of ADRA!

Learn more about the Adventist Disaster Relief Agency (ADRA) at sydney.adventist.org.au/ministries/adra.