Children still suffering trauma from Tonga eruption and tsunami

A mental health academic says hundreds of children and adults in Tonga are still traumatised from the volcanic eruption and tsunami.

Doctor Sione Vaka was part of the first Pacific Medical Association team that has just returned from a five week assignment helping Tongans deal with the aftermath of January’s events, and the following Covid-19 outbreak.

“People are still very, very anxious about that. We had lots of referrals, people coming to us talking about shortness of breath and heart palpitations when there’s raining and thunder.”

He says they saw many children showing signs of trauma, triggered by everyday events.

“There were number of times when we were there and it was raining, then you see little kids running and hiding - it’s still pretty raw with them.”

The team of Tongan-speaking health specialists tended to 700 patients, most of whom were evacuated from the outer islands after the tsunami destroyed their homes.

“We were just trying to encourage them, tell us how they feel, and they’re still living in the church hall.”

A second team of Tongan speaking health specialists has been sent to Tonga