Message from Commonwealth Secretary-General to cyclone-hit Tonga and Cook Islands

Commonwealth Secretary-General Kamalesh Sharma today expressed his concern and solidarity on behalf of the Commonwealth with the people of Tonga and other countries in the Pacific affected by the impact of Cyclone Rene in recent days. The Secretary-General similarly extended the solidarity of the Commonwealth to the people of the Cook Islands as they cope with the aftermath of Cyclone Pat which struck earlier in the week.

The Secretary-General welcomed the rapid assistance provided by some of the countries in the region and expressed the hope that should further assistance be requested from the international community, this would be forthcoming.