Humanitarian aid arrives in Tonga five days after the eruption

The essential supplies have arrived Tonga, five days after being devastated by a volcano eruption and subsequent tsunami. According to the United Nations, the disaster has left at least three dead and has affected some 84,000 people, more than 80% of the population of this archipelago.

Planes from New Zealand and Australia have landed this morning (local time). The arrival of air aid was scheduled for the beginning of the week. However, it has been affected by the thick ash accumulated on the runways.

The New Zealand Air Force landed at 04:00 local time with humanitarian aid, shelter kits, generators, hygiene products and telecommunication equipment. Likewise, an Australian military plane has provided desalination equipment, shelter equipment, kitchens and material to help clean the runways.

On the other hand, a New Zealand ship has docked today to check the arrival routes. Tomorrow another ship will arrive with 250,000 liters of drinking water and desalination equipment, with which 70,000 liters per day can be produced. Rachael Moore, head of the Australian High Police Station in Tonga, has pointed out that drinking water is “an absolute priority“. A ship from Australia will also arrive tomorrow.

For its part, the World Bank has announced the disbursement of nearly seven million euros in funding to help Tonga. These funds will be used to restore basic services and help the most affected families.

Aftermath of the disaster

The Hunga Tonga-Hunga Ha’apai eruption and resulting tsunami have devastated Tonga. The disaster has left at least three deceased. Waves of up to 15 meters hit the islands of Ha’apai, destroying all the houses on Mango Island. The tsunami reached the coast of Tongatapu, the main island of Tonga; 56 houses were destroyed or damaged. According to Fatafehi ​​Fakafanua, spokesman for Tonga’s legislature, the country’s recovery will be “very, very, very long.”