29 Sep 2014

The LDS church begins to build 114 houses destroyed in Ha'apai

11:56 am on 29 September 2014

The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in Tonga is starting to rebuild 114 houses that were destroyed by Cyclone Ian earlier this year.

The church's Tonga Service Centre Manager Howard Niu says they have signed with local contractor Oregon Pacific International to carry out the construction.

Mr Niu says the houses will be provided to members of the church.

He says the church will provide the core of a house.

"We're talking about a 4.8 metres by 3.6 metres to start with. The government and the World Bank donating the other half of it. Especially for the most vulnerable group, if you're 65 and above, and or whether handicapped or have more than eight in the family."

There will also be a separate bathroom facility, a septic tank and with a 3000 litre water tank.

The core houses should be complete in early 2015.