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Tonga cleans up after devastating Cyclone Gita

Tongans embark on recovery efforts after getting slammed by Category 4 cyclone.

Many houses on the main island of Tongatapu have been completely flattened by Tropical Cyclone Gita. Shelter kits and tarpaulins are in high demand as people rush to provide shelter from the elements
Many houses on the main island of Tongatapu have been completely flattened by Tropical Cyclone Gita. Shelter kits and tarpaulins are in high demand as people rush to provide shelter from the elements for their families. [Gemma Snowdon/IFRC]
By Gemma Snowdon
Published On 21 Feb 2018

Thousands of Tongans were affected when Tropical Cyclone Gita tore through the country on February 12.

Officials said the Category 4 cyclone impacted 70 percent of the population on the main island of Tongatapu and more than 1,000 homes were destroyed or damaged.

Clean-up efforts are under way with disaster response organisations and government agencies doing assessments and distributing relief items.

Local communities have rallied around each other to support aid and recovery efforts.

These siblings lost the side of their house to Tropical Cyclone Gita. The family received tarps and a shelter kit from Red Cross volunteers to assist with their immediate needs.
These siblings lost the side of their house to Cyclone Gita. The family received tarps and a shelter kit from Red Cross volunteers. [Gemma Snowdon/IFRC]
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Tongan Red Cross staff and volunteers have supplied hundreds of tarps, tents, kitchen sets, and lanterns to people affected by Tropical Cyclone Gita, often dealing with heavy showers or blazing sunshi
Volunteers have supplied hundreds of tarps, tents, kitchen sets, and lanterns to people affected by Gita. [Gemma Snowdon/IFRC]
Salonie Fusitua and her family had their home badly damaged by Tropical Cyclone Gita. They''re sleeping in a tent provided by Red Cross for now while they try to fix their house.
Salonie Fusitua and her family had their home badly damaged by the storm. [Gemma Snowdon/IFRC]
These kids check out their temporary accommodation while their parents work on fixing up their damaged home.
Children check out their temporary accommodation while their parents work on fixing their damaged home. [Gemma Snowdon/IFRC]
Tropical Cyclone Gita caused flooding in many areas of Tonga’s main island. The still water left from the system has created concerns about the spread of dengue. Red Cross volunteers have been distrib
Tropical Cyclone Gita caused flooding in many parts of Tonga's main island. The still water left from the system has created concerns about the spread of dengue. [Gemma Snowdon/IFRC]
''Ofa Filiai takes the corrugated iron protector off his windows. He and his family spent the night of Tropical Cyclone Gita in an evacuation centre and were relieved to return home and find the house
Ofa Filiai takes the corrugated iron protection off his windows. [Gemma Snowdon/IFRC]
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Authorities say that 70% of the population on Tongatapu has been affected by this cyclone. Many families are now dealing with damaged homes and damp possessions after water inundated their home on the
Authorities say 70 percent of the population on Tongatapu has been affected by the cyclone. Many families are now dealing with damaged homes and damp possessions. [Gemma Snowdon/IFRC]
Ila Fonua has been staying with friends since Tropical Cyclone Gita struck and says she''s finding it hard to sleep at night, worrying about her house. She''s waiting for the water to subside before sh
Ila Fonua has been staying with friends since Gita struck and says she's waiting for the water to subside before she rebuilds her house. [Gemma Snowdon/IFRC]
This house was completely destroyed by Tropical Cyclone Gita. Fifita and her four kids lived here, now they are staying with their neighbours. Many community members in Tonga have turned to each other
This house was destroyed by Cyclone Gita. [Gemma Snowdon/IFRC]
Isi Vaea stands by the water tank he and his family sheltered in during Tropical Cyclone Gita. Their house on the Tongan island of Eua has been completely destroyed.
Isi Vaea stands by the water tank he and his family sheltered in during the cyclone. Their house on the Tongan island of Eua has been destroyed. [Gemma Snowdon/IFRC]