Supplies reach Tonga - 26th January 2022

Emergency supplies are finally arriving in Tonga. The South Pacific island nation has suffered terrible damage after the underwater volcano Hunga Tonga-Hunga Ha'apai erupted on 15th January.

The eruption was visible from space and could be heard across the ocean in Alaska. It caused a tsunami which reached the coasts of Japan and the USA. The volcano sent gas and ash 30 kilometres into the air and spread acid rain over the Pacific.

New Zealand's Tongan community came together and prepared supplies to be sent to the islands. New Zealand MP Jenny Sales, who is Tongan, is concerned. This double natural disaster has caused widespread damage.

Jenny Sales: "There are just over 70 thousand Tongans here in New Zealand. And we know that about 80 percent of Tonga is affected by this. This natural disaster is different to cyclones in the past, right, which has only affected parts of Tonga, or Ha'apai, or Vavaʻu or Ongo Niua. This one, twin disasters, has affected the majority of, of Tonga and so it is a huge concern for us."

Food and fresh water are being shipped to the islands, where local water sources might have been polluted by volcanic ash. This support will be needed for months rather than weeks.

Fatafehi Fakafanua is a senior Tongan politician.

Fatafehi Fakafanua: "It's good to see such an early response. But I think what's important is the ongoing response because it won't end here. One week, two weeks from now, I think, I'm sure in two months, we'll still need support. So, it's gonna be a long road to recovery and we hope that we'll continue to sustain this."

Tonga's international telephone and internet connections have also been damaged by the volcanic eruption. This has made it difficult to establish the full effects of the two disasters and the islands' needs. However, Tongan residents are focused on rebuilding and continuing their lives on the islands.