WHAT DID YOU HAVE TO EAT TODAY?

- IN THIS ISSUE -

Tonga response update, What did you have to eat today? & CID photo contest

In 2022, Tonga was rocked by a significant underwater volcanic eruption immediately followed by a devastating tsunami.

At the request of the Diocese of Polynesia, we responded immediately with one of our largest appeals ever.

Together, we raised over $480,000 to help Tonga recover.

The disaster impacted most of Tonga’s population in one way or another, and the population is still recovering from the event 2 years later.

Our Development and Humanitarian Manager Mark Mitchell and I recently visited Tonga to carry out an evaluation of our recovery project, and to identify lessons learned as the project comes to a close. This was a fruitful and rewarding visit, and we were able to see first-hand how our financial and prayer support has made such a positive difference.

We were encouraged to hear how other agencies, including the government disaster response agency, viewed the Anglican Church and we were reminded that the church, as the centre of many communities, is present before a disaster strikes; during it and remains once other agencies have packed up and gone home.

Our response was based on consultations with affected church communities, and had a few key focal areas. One that has brought ongoing and sustainable benefits to all of the church communities is the intense cultivation of crops for family and church use.

Cassava crops growing on the outskirts of Nuku'alofa.

Most crops were either covered in a layer of ash, or if they were nearer the coast, washed away by the tsunami. By supporting the production of traditional crops such as taro, yam, kumala and cassava, and introducing sustainable farming techniques (including a new Biogas system for the production of fertiliser), the Tonga recovery project addressed immediate needs while also promoting long-term agricultural resilience.

The introduction of drip-irrigation in a pilot plot across the road from St Barnabas Church has also proven popular, as has a small second-hand flat-deck truck, which we were able to purchase to transport crops and fertiliser for sale and use by the church and community.

We're reflecting on how important food is for people and communities to thrive in this edition. Food and livelihoods is a key aspect to our work, and we're so glad that you could partner with us to restore food and livelihoods in the wake of a devastating natural disaster.

Michael Hartfield

National Director

What did you have to eat today?

When you thought about your most recent meal, what was the first thing you thought?

"What am I in the mood for?"

"What kind of flavours and tastes do I want?"

"Who can I eat with?"

During an emergency or conflict, food takes on a new meaning. It's no longer about comfort, enjoyment or socialisation. In survival situations, the questions instead become:

"What am I able to get?"

"How long does this meal need to sustain me?"

"Is it safe to go outside?"

During emergencies and conflicts, the types of foods that people can access become far more restricted, especially when supply lines deteriorate or food producing industries are disrupted.

Emergency foods also tend to be very basic, like rice, dry biscuits, watery soups and other basic staples. Variety is a luxury, and priority is given to shelf-stable, non-perishable items.

Survival situations caused by human conflict strip away a profoundly human experience.

The simple pleasure of choosing and savouring flavours is stolen, and opportunities to share meals with others vanishes. It's a minor cruelty that's easy to overlook, and one of the many ways that conflict dehumanises people. This is an equal reality in non-conflict zones too - areas experiencing drought, extended food shortages or bad crop yields have to make similar choices. 

Next time you have a meal, reflect on the comfort, joy and sustenance it provides. Think of those who don't have that luxury.

It's a testament to human creativity when people can make the best of what little they have - adding spices, stretching out ingredients and coming up with creative solutions to bring some comfort to their meals. But in many cases, the resources simply aren't there.

Jen (our Operations Officer) took some emergency rations with her to The Abbey so that people could taste and see first hand what survival food is like. Check out their surprising reactions below!

Anglican Missions wins Best Development Photo.

Mark's winning entry for the CID "Best Development Photo".