Premiership powerhouse Malakai Fekitoa has successfully made contact with his mother and the rest of his family after enduring 12 days of uncertainty regarding their safety.
The Wasps centre was born and raised in Tonga, one of the countries that has suffered the most following the eruption of underwater volcano Hunga Tonga–Hunga Haʻapai on January 14.
Most of the communications across Tonga's many islands were at least temporarily disrupted after the country was hit by waves reaching up to 15 metres in height.
Rugby ace Fekitoa, 29, did manage to speak with his sisters one week after the eruption, though he was yet to make contact with his mother and other family members amid the chaos.
At least three people are known to have died as a result of the volcanic eruption, while many people in Tonga remain missing.
However, Fekitoa took to Twitter late Tuesday and confirmed he has since gotten through to his mother, suggesting his family members are now all accounted for.
"Update from Tonga," he wrote. "I just spoke to my mum on a satellite phone. She’s ok and everyone back home are safe and sound."
Despite his own personal distress, 24-cap New Zealand international Fekitoa has been active in campaigning to raise money in order to provide aid to those who have been cut off as a result of the tsunami.
The GoFundMe campaign has already surpassed its £50,000 goal but will keep raising as Fekitoa seeks to provide "essential products" from Auckland in New Zealand to areas in Tonga that that require it.
Employers Wasps have also done their bit to contribute, with 20 per cent of the ticket sales from Sunday's Premiership clash against Saracens going towards the 'Help Tonga, All with Tonga' appeal.
Wasps' group chief executive officer, Stephen Vaughan, recently spoke in support of the club's campaign to help Tonga: "We were deeply saddened to hear the news of the tsunami in the Pacific Island nation earlier this month, a tragedy that has even greater impact given that Malakai, a key member of the team and firm fan favourite, has been directly affected by this.
"As we await more news, the club has decided to support Malakai’s fundraising efforts by donating 20% of all match ticket revenue from our Saracens match on Sunday 30 January to the GoFundMe page which has been set up by Malakai to help get aid to where it is needed most."
Fekitoa was a regular fixture for the All Blacks prior to leaving the Highlanders for England in 2017, and he's now aiming to embark on a second chapter in his Test career with Tonga.
A recent change in World Rugby legislation means players can now represent a second nation after a three-year cool-down period, although Fekitoa qualified for Tonga by playing in a sevens Olympic qualifier.
Visit the 'Help Tonga, All with Tonga' GoFundMe page to donate directly to the Tonga relief effort.
