The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in Tonga is starting to rebuild 116 houses that were destroyed by Cyclone Ian earlier this year.
The church’s Tonga Service Centre Manager Howard Niu says they have signed with local contractor Oregon Pacific International to carry out the construction.
Mr Niu says the houses will be provided to members of the church.
He says the church will provide the core of a house.
“We’re talking about a 4.8 metres by 3.6 metres to start with. The government and the World Bank donating the other half of it.”
“Especially for the most vulnerable group, if you’re 65 and above, and or whether handicapped or have more than eight in the family.”
The money to support this project comes from the Latter-day Saints’ humanitarian fund, to which Church members and others from around the world, including Tonga, donate.
The joint Church and Government humanitarian project will also focus on training locals on Ha’apai in building and other trade skills, as well as support families as they create and maintain family and community vegetable gardens.
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