Ma’afu Fia and Elvis Taione have echoed calls for the rugby community to support the relief efforts following the devastating damage caused by the volcanic eruption back home in Tonga.
The Pacific Island was blanketed in a layer of volcanic ash after a tsunami was triggered by an undersea volcano, leaving homes and building flattened.
84% of Tonga's population affected by ash fall and tsunami https://t.co/kyrObvYlk4
— BBC News (World) (@BBCWorld) January 24, 2022
The population were left stranded after phone and communication links were cut after the force of the natural disaster severed the major undersea cable.
The capital was left devastated and it took days for the communication links to be restored after the eruption of the Hunga-Tonga-Hunga-Ha’apai volcano on January 15th.
Born in Tofoa, the 32-year-old Fia’s mother and father live in New Zealand, but his aunties and uncles are still in Tonga. And he still owns a house there.
Fia reveals it took three days for him to find out whether his relatives were safe back home after the island was hit with a 23 kilometre high ash cloud.
“Elvis and I want to do what we can to help,” said Fia.
“We’ve been looking at what the Wasps player Malakai Fekitoa has been doing and we’ll be liaising with him and others to ensure we can do the right things,” added Fia.
“The rugby community has already supported Malakai’s fund raising efforts and I hope it will continue to do so. There are so many Tongan players in Europe who play at so many clubs.
“I’d love to see the governing bodies and clubs come together to help us to perhaps put on a game that raises funds for our homeland. That would be a huge statement and a huge benefit.
“We’d certainly all be up for that and be proud to take part. It would help to create the awareness we need to let the world know the problems the people of Tonga are now facing.”
World Rugby has joined forces with unions and competitions to support the Tonga Rugby family impacted by the devastating volcanic eruption and tsunami
— World Rugby (@WorldRugby) January 26, 2022
Find out more and donate below @icrc | @officialTongaRU | #RugbyFamily
Tongan players from across the Europe and both codes of rugby have all pledged their support and called for help to support their fellow countrymen and women.
Charles Piutau of the Bristol Bears launched his own fundraising appeal to support all the communities affected by the events back home.
Super League players from the Pacific Islands, New Zealand, and Australia have all pledged to raise funds for the cause, with Wasps centre Malakia Fekitoa also launching his appeal for support with his club.
Fia reveals the devastation that has hit Tonga and the impact it has had on the population 10,000 miles away.
“Everywhere is just black and white, you can’t see any greenery. There is a shortage of food, of water and it could take months or even a year before things get back to normal,” said Fia.
“We have our own way of life and our own culture. Our way of life is sharing and caring for each other.
“That has started to shine through and we want to do something that can make a difference. There are things being done individually around the UK, but we probably need a more concerted effort to ensure we make the biggest impact.
“Food, water and clothing are probably the biggest things we can help with at the moment. My home village wasn’t too badly affected by the waves from the tsunami, although most of the shoreline buildings are down.
“Tourism is very important to the country’s economy and there will have to be a lot of reconstruction after this.”