Wasps’ back Malakai Fekitoa has revealed he has not heard from his family in Tonga for almost a week after the island was devastated by tsunami caused when the Hunga Tonga-Hunga Ha’apai volcano erupted undersea.
Fekitoa was still yet to hear from his mother and family on the island where communication lines have been crippled as a result of the natural disaster on Saturday.
The 29-year-old has raised close to £40,000 through an online fundraiser to provide support for the people of Tonga amid warnings islanders are facing a humanitarian crisis.
“I want to make sure that all the aid destined is received by the community,” Fekitoa wrote in the initial post for the campaign, before adding: “We need to send essential products, so we will send as many containers as possible from Auckland, New Zealand to Tonga. No matter what kind of help you want to collaborate with, all types of help are appreciate it [sic]. We will provide an address where material products can be delivered.”
In an update on Wednesday, Fekitoa added: “Thanks to all of you who are making this possible. I’m very grateful and overwhelmed by your support. It’s amazing to see how joining forces and working together we can make a big difference. Any type of donation, large or small can have an extraordinary impact. Receiving so much support from you all have [sic] been incredible.”
The first foreign aid planes arrived in Tonga on Thursday from New Zealand and Australia, with a thick layer of ash covering the island since the eruption.
Former All Blacks centre Fekitoa recently qualified to play for Tonga, where he was born in Haʻapai, and was due to make his Test debut for Tonga last autumn against England before suffering a dislocated shoulder.
Fekitoa’s recovery is still ongoing, meaning he will not be available for selection this weekend for Wasps’ Champions Cup fixture against Munster, although the centre is now back in training.
Rugby players Jimmy Gopperth, Sébastien Taofifenua and Sione Vailanu are among the more than 700 people who have already donated towards Fekitoa’s campaign.
Harlequins have also announced that Friday’s fixture against Castres will be used as a fund-raising drive to support Tonga through the club’s cup collection scheme run by the Harlequins Foundation.
The club’s flanker Viliami Taulani, who starts on Friday against Castres, revealed that he has been in contact with his family Tonga, saying: “I’m grateful and lucky to have heard from my family in Tonga who are safe and well, but many people back home have not had that contact. Tonga has been devastated by this disaster and there are hundreds, thousands of people that are in desperate need of help.
“There is an opportunity for anyone attending our game this week to send support to Tonga just by donating their empty beer cup to the Foundation.”
Support the fundraiser here
