Caritas Tonga

30/07/2026

Some scam calls begin with human trafficking.

This year's World Day Against Trafficking in Persons shines a light on a growing form of exploitation: people recruited through fake job offers, trafficked across borders, and forced to carry out online scams under threats, violence and abuse.

This story, shared by Stella Maris Thailand, reminds us that behind some scam calls is another victim. A young Thai woman was lured to Myanmar with the promise of a good job. Instead, she was trapped in a scam compound, forced to carry out online scams, and threatened with being sold to another criminal group when she couldn't meet her targets. After being rescued through coordinated efforts, her testimony helped police identify and arrest the leader of the criminal network that exploited her.

To fight online scams, we must also fight human trafficking, protect victims, and dismantle the criminal networks behind these crimes.

Read the full story:
https://www.caritas.org/thailand/human-trafficking/world-day-against-trafficking-in-persons-behind-the-scam-the-human-face-of-exploitation/

Learn more about COATnet, the global Christian network working to prevent human trafficking:
https://coatnet.global

03/07/2026

Our Caritas team in support of YCC Day this Friday, 3 July, a day where young people and schools across Aotearoa come together in solidarity with their neighbours in Tonga.

This year, YCC Day will support and help Takuilau College, Tonga build a dedicated music room, giving students a space to learn, create and celebrate their culture through music.

Together, we can help bring this vision to life for the students of Tonga.

23/02/2026

PUBLIC ANNOUNCEMENT FOR THE WHOLE OF TONGA

This is a Public Announcement from the Department of Communication, Ministry of MEIDECC, for the whole of Tonga.

The Department of Communication will be conducting a TESTING EXERCISE of the National Early Warning Systems on Friday 27th of February 2026 at 12:15pm for Tongatapu, Éua, Haápai, Vavaú, and Niua Toputapu.

A clear message will be indicating that “THIS IS A TEST” which will be played from both the SIRENS and Remote Activated Receiver (RAR) Radio. This TESTING EXERCISE will be conducted monthly, every last Friday, until further notice.

Malo Áupito,
Department of Communication,
Ministry of Meidecc - Tonga

28/11/2025

We had the great honour of meeting Pope Leo XIV in a private audience at the Vatican last week. His words encouraged us to serve every person with dignity and to care for the poor, the displaced and the forgotten.

Yesterday in Istanbul, during a prayer meeting at the Cathedral of the Holy Spirit, the Holy Father mentioned us again and thanked everyone for their support to the Church’s humanitarian aid work, especially after the 2023 earthquake.

The local Caritas team in Turkey has done great work in their response.

We’re so grateful for his trust and blessing.

More on the papal audience and the Holy Father’s full speech here bit.ly/4omtoyu

27/11/2025

23/11/2025

Pope Leo was presented on Friday with "Voices on Ecology and Justice:
A Testament from Oceania", by Caritas Oceania President Cardinal Soane Mafi and Caritas Aotearoa Chief Executive Mena Antonio. The book is a specially bound copy bringing together the last decade of State of Environment and Debt reports from Caritas Oceania, sharing the lived experience of people in our region as we seek ecological, social and economic justice. Mena Antonio was also confirmed as new Vice-President of Caritas Internationalis, at a two-day gathering in Rome of the Representative Council - the main governing body of the global Caritas confederation, the world's second largest humanitarian network.
The Testament was presented to Pope Leo wrapped in Tongan ngatu (tapa cloth) with a manalua pattern, symbolising the union of two people or families. Inside the book was a pattern incorporating traditional elements of Fata ‘o Tu’i Tonga, representing the house of the king.
The Caritas Oceania reports are available online here: https://www.caritas.org.nz/state-environment


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