Stranded in disasters, people with disability in Popua have taken preparedness into their own hands.
When disaster struck Tonga recently, Sione Mataele Mau made an unthinkable call. He told his family to leave him behind and run.
“He told his family to evacuate, just leave him to die… so [they could] save their lives,” Mr Mau said through a translator during an interview recorded by ABC Radio Australia.
Mr Mau lives in Popua, a vulnerable coastal village just 10 minutes from the capital, Nukuʻalofa. Homes in Popua are built on reclaimed land, often surrounded by water, making them especially exposed to tsunamis and other natural disasters.
Due to a leg injury, Mr Mau cannot walk, a challenge he says is shared by many in his community. “There are 78 people with disabilities here in Popua,” he explained.
In response, local residents have formed a grassroots disability committee to discuss disaster planning and mutual support. “They formed their own committee to work together on what they can do, how to address the issue they are facing here at Popua,” Mr Mau said.
The Popua community’s efforts reflect growing resilience and a local drive to address disaster preparedness, especially for those most at risk.
