The International Charter Space and Major Disasters has been activated for Cyclone Gita in Tonga.
Cyclone Gita, a Category 4 storm, hit Tonga on the evening of February 12th. Acting prime minister Hon. Semisi Sika declared a state of emergency for the whole region, while 108 evacuation centres housing nearly 4,000 people were set up on Tonga’s main island of Tongatapu. A further 12 centres were set up among the nations Ha’apai group of islands.
Power in the region shut down Monday evening, leaving the Prince Ngu Hospital using a generator in order to continue operation. It is estimated that 70% of the population of Tonga has been affected by the cyclone, with at least one confirmed casualty.
The activation had been requested by UNITAR-UNOSAT on behalf of United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA), and the Regional Office for Asia and the Pacific (ROAP). UNITAR-UNOSAT also acts as the project manager for this activation.
