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Navy, New Zealand Defense Force and Tongan Army Provide Brighter Future

Navy News Service

Story Number: NNS110422-03
4/22/2011

By Mass Communication Specialist Seaman Christopher Farrington, Pacific Partnership 2011 Public Affairs

NIUATOPUTAPU, Tonga (NNS) -- The Navy teamed up with the New Zealand Defence Force (NZDF), the Tongan army, and residents of Niuatoputapu, Tonga, April 10-19, to provide a better future for the residents of that island.

The effort was part of Pacific Partnership 2011, a humanitarian civic assistance initiative.

Niuatoputapu was one of the islands hit by a tsunami in 2009. Nine people were killed, 192 families were left homeless, and the homes of 143 additional families were damaged on the island with a population of less than 1,000 people.

"Disasters of this nature are not something that can be stopped. The best we can do is work together to respond when a crisis occurs," said Navy Capt. Jesse A. Wilson Jr., Pacific Partnership 2011 mission commander and Commander, Destroyer Squadron 23.

"Working together, we provided the residents of Niuatoputapu with improved facilities, including schoolhouse renovations, bathrooms, playgrounds, water harvesting tanks, generator sheds, and a computer lab. We also provided environmental health training, mosquito control training, and medical and dental care," said Lt. Col. Donald Jones, NZDF Commander.

"I am happy to be able to witness the great work and generosity of the Pacific Partnership team in Niuatoputapu," said Peaua Heimuli, Tonga's acting director of education. "The projects and partnerships formed here will have an everlasting impact on the residents of Niuatoputapu."

A ceremony was held in Niuatoputapu April 19 to honor the people who participated in the Pacific Partnership projects. Residents and attendees shared their cultures with each other with song and dance performances.

During the past five years, Pacific Partnership has provided medical, dental, educational, and preventive medicine services to more than 210,000 people and completed more than 130 engineering projects in 13 countries.

"I hope that as Pacific Partnership grows, there will be more chances to continue to better the lives of those stricken by disaster," said Heimuli.

"As Pacific Partnership 2011 strengthens relationships and builds new ones, this mission demonstrates U.S. commitment to the Pacific region," Wilson said.

Pacific Partnership is concluding its mission in Tonga and will visit Vanuatu, Papua New Guinea, Timor Leste, and the Federated States of Micronesia.