An image obtained from social media shows a damaged building in Tungua, Tonga, Jan. 18, 2022, three days after a volcanic eruption and tsunami damaged much of the the archipelago. The people of Tonga will need time, help and prayers to recover from one of the most devastating volcanic eruptions in modern times, said Cardinal Michael Czerny, an official in the Vatican Dicastery for Promoting Integral Human Development. (CNS photo/Malau Media via Reuters)
By Anna Weaver
Hawaii Catholic Herald
The Diocese of Honolulu is asking parishes to take up an emergency second collection for Tonga on the weekend of Feb. 26 and 27.
An underwater volcanic eruption that occurred close offshore from the island nation on Jan. 15 caused damaging tsunamis and rained down ash and other volcanic debris.
“Hawaii is blessed to have a significant Tongan community who are often very active in our parishes,” said Deacon Keith Cabiles, diocesan chancellor, in an email announcing the emergency second collection. “Many of their families back home are still suffering, even almost a month after the disaster struck.”
The second collection funds will be sent directly to the Diocese of Tonga to assist the neediest parish communities there. Donations can also be made directly at catholichawaii.org/tonga.
Tonga has a population of 105,000 across 36 inhabited islands. While only three people died in the aftermath of the eruption from tidal waves sweeping them away, the long-term effects of breathing in ash could cause health issues. Saltwater and ash also contaminated water sources.
The eruption and resulting tidal waves caused extensive property and infrastructure damage in the archipelago. The quake temporarily cut off most communication and power and severed the islands’ underwater internet cable.
After relief workers were able to reach the islands following some delay due to the eruption, they also brought COVID-19 cases with them. Tonga had largely avoided the virus since the pandemic due to its isolated location and high vaccination rate. But now COVID-19 cases are on the rise.
The offshore volcanic eruption was hundreds of times more powerful than the Hiroshima atomic bomb explosion, said Jim Garvin, chief scientist at NASA’s Goddard Space Flight Center, who spoke to Catholic News Service.
It sent volcanic material as high as 25 miles into the air and created an up to 49-feet tsunami according to a Jan. 24 post on earthobservatory.nasa.gov. The site also reported that the volcanic cloud extended to cover all the country’s roughly 170 islands.
Catholic News Service contributed to this article.
