The Queensland Rugby Union will partner with UNICEF Australia’s Tongan Recovery Appeal ahead of this month’s Vintage Reds XV v Tongan Invitational XV match at Suncorp Stadium.
All public donations generated by this special invitational game will be directed towards UNICEF Australia’s fundraising efforts, in response to the explosion of the Hunga Tonga Hunga Ha'apai underwater volcano and subsequent tsunami last month.
It is an opportunity for the Rugby Union community in Queensland to convey their heartfelt solidarity with the Tongan people during this extremely difficult time.
The public are encouraged to donate funds online to UNICEF Australia’s appeal which is assisting the recovery of children’s and families lives devastated by the effects of the recent volcanic eruption.
Tonga Invitational XV coach and former Reds backrower Toutai Kefu said: “We’re honoured to partner with UNICEF Australia to help raise funds for their Tongan Recovery Appeal.
“UNICEF is a globally-respected organisation and we know that the funds raised will be going straight to the children and people of Tonga in their time of need.
“I’d encourage everyone to consider donating what they can to this incredibly important appeal.”
UNICEF Australia CEO Tony Stuart said: "Sport is the great uniter, breaking down barriers and bringing us together, and that is particularly the case for our rugby community here in Australia and across the Pacific.
"In the immediate aftermath of the tsunami we were able to move quickly to deploy pre-positioned supplies from our Brisbane warehouse to support children and families in Tonga, but we need to continue that support in the coming weeks and sustain it in the months ahead.
"This partnership with QRU will bolster our efforts and enable us to continue to deliver water and essential sanitation needs as well as other supplies to our Pacific neighbours through this crisis and beyond."
UNICEF acted quickly to help the recovery effort in Tonga, having shipped 44 pallets of emergency supplies from Brisbane aboard HMAS Adelaide, providing the most vulnerable with:
- 1000 water and sanitation kits
- water testing kits
- recreational kits for children to support psychosocial recovery
UNICEF is there for children before, during and after emergencies and is deeply concerned about the outbreak of waterborne diseases, and the mental health of young children.
Further to water focussed support, the recreational kits will help boost children’s mental and emotional health, many of whom have been displaced after their homes were destroyed.90 cents of every $1 donated to UNICEF Australia goes directly into their emergency response work for children and families in Tonga.
Ticket purchasers will be able to make a voluntary donation towards UNICEF Australia’s Tonga Recovery Appeal when purchasing their matchday tickets for the Reds v Rebels Super Rugby Pacific fixture on Saturday 19 February 2022.
Donate now via: tonga.unicef.org.au/t/qru
About UNICEF
UNICEF works in some of the world’s toughest places, to reach the world’s most disadvantaged children. Across more than 190 countries and territories, we work for every child, everywhere, to build a better world for everyone. During COVID-19, UNICEF Australia is providing immediate relief and advocating for children to help them recover, rebound, reimagine and create a stronger future.
