One week after a devastating undersea volcanic eruption and tsunami struck Tonga, the island’s global diaspora remains on edge. In Texas, home to one of the largest Tongan communities outside the Pacific, families are banding together to support loved ones as communication lines slowly flicker back to life.
The January 15 disaster severed vital undersea cables, leaving the island nation isolated for days. While partial satellite connectivity has been restored, authorities warn full repairs could take weeks. “Every hour without news feels like a lifetime,” said local organizer Sione Fatai in Euless, Texas, where community members are pooling resources to send supplies and financial aid.
CGTN’s Toni Waterman visited the Texas community, documenting their efforts to bridge the 6,500-mile gap through grassroots organizing. Churches and cultural centers have become hubs for coordinating relief efforts, while younger members leverage social media to amplify calls for international support.
The disaster has impacted over 80% of Tonga’s 100,000 residents, with ashfall contaminating water supplies and tsunami waves destroying coastal infrastructure. As the digitally connected diaspora waits anxiously for updates, their collective action highlights how global communities mobilize in crises.
Reference(s):
cgtn.com
