This week the Government of Israel, through its office in New Zealand, has announced the rollout of its award-winning home biogas systems in the households of ‘Atata Si’i, a community relocated to the western side of Tongatapu after the devastating 2022 volcanic eruption and tsunami. The partnership was delivered through MASHAV, Pacific Grow and MORDI Tonga Trust.
“We are thrilled to see our joint project with the Government of Tonga and MORDI Tonga Trust come to life,” the Israeli office said in a media statement. “The implementation of Israeli climate technologies aims to enhance productivity, conserve resources, and build resilience against climate change in Tonga.”
The home biogas system is an off-grid renewable energy unit that becomes an efficient way to turn household or farm waste into useful products such as clean cooking gas and organic fertiliser for crops.
“We were fortunate to have Mr. Guy Jakobi, Pacific Grow’s Managing Director, train our staff and community members in setting up the system. We look forward to the systems delivering organic fertilizers and clean cooking gas,” said MORDI Tonga Trust in a media statement.
Last month during his visit to Tonga, Israel’s Ambassador to New Zealand, Ran Yaakoby, donated laptops to St. Andrews High School on behalf of the Embassy of Israel in New Zealand, in collaboration with the Milstein Foundation and MASHAV. “The computers will offer young students the opportunity to acquire new skills and enjoy a creative learning process,” the Ambassador said.
During the aftermath of the Hunga Tonga Hunga Haapai volcanic eruption and tsunami in 2022, humanitarian supplies donated by MASHAV, Israel, and the Embassy of Israel in Australia were delivered to Tonga to aid those recovering from the recent tsunami. The supplies included first aid kits and state-of-the-art drones to ensure even those cut off from regular access routes could receive help. The effort was facilitated by the Australian Government as part of Operation Tonga Assist 2022.
