Third Australian ship arrives to aid Tonga's recovery [1]
Tuesday, March 1, 2022 - 23:45. Updated on Wednesday, March 2, 2022 - 00:32.
By Linny Folau
Three of Australia's largest defence ships entered the Nuku'alofa harbour in formation, this afternoon, and were welcomed by Tonga's Prime Minister at Vuna Wharf.
HMAS Canberra arrived in the Nuku’alofa harbour on March 1 to provide more relief supplies and aid Tonga in its recovery, after the volcanic eruption and tsunamis on February 15.
Australian High Commissioner HE Rachael Moore and Prime Minister Hon Hu'akavameiliku (Hon. Siaosi Sovaleni) spoke at a welcome ceremony on the wharf.
“Today is a significant day today for our two countries, with Australia’s two largest ships, HMAS Adelaide and HMAS Canberra, and one of two new Auxiliary Oiler Replenishment ships HMAS Supply in Tongan waters under Operation Tonga Assist 2022.”
They were here to assist in the humanitarian response to the eruption and tsunamis.
She said the harbour entry marked a handover of command between sister ships Adelaide and Canberra as the Australian Defence Force Joint Task Group for Operation Tonga Assist 22.
“HMAS Canberra will replace Adelaide to ensure that our Pacific family, the people of Tonga continue to be supported in their time of need.”
Canberra is carrying more than 150 tonnes of supplies, including telecommunications equipment, reconstruction supplies including water tanks, concrete, timber and roofing materials.
The ship is also bringing two fire trucks donated by the South Australia Metropolitan Fire Service.
Once supplies have been unloaded, HMAS Canberra will assume her primary station in southern Ha’apai, and her crew will work under the Government of Tonga’s task and contribute to the humanitarian response there, including on Nomuka, she said.
Help build Tonga
Prime Minister Hon. Hu'akavameiliku extended Tonga’s heartfelt gratitude for Australia's support and assistance to the people of Tonga in its recovery from the volcanic eruption.
He said the arrival of HMAS Canberra signals a shift in the invaluable assistance Australia has provided for us since the Hunga Tonga Hunga Ha’apai volcanic eruption.
"We welcome the three Australian ships and look forward to the ongoing presence of our Australian friends here on our shores to help us build a stronger and more resilient Tonga."
The PM said as these Australian countrymen and women are carrying out this generous contribution towards Tonga's recovery, he was very mindful of the severe flooding in Queensland and New South Wales.
"This generosity from your government and the people of Australia is all the more significant and symbolic of the character and resilience of Australia."
Australia's assistance
While in Tonga for several weeks, HMAF Adelaide and her crew had delivered over 88 tonnes of humanitarian supplies and offered assistance to a number of affected areas during their deployment, including contributing to the cleaning on ‘Atata Island and critical surveillance of the ‘Eua harbour to allow local ferries to resume service.
Adelaide's helicopters transported essential supplies to both ‘Eua and Ha’apai, including pharmaceuticals and COVID-19 vaccines and facilitated the restoration of important telecommunications equipment on Kao.
The Auxiliary Oiler HMAS Supply which arrived in Tonga on February 12 departed today, after supporting other military vessels, including partner nationals with fuel and supplies as well as providing over 100,00 litres of purified water for distribution through the National Emergency Management Office.
Operation Tonga Assist 2022 was the ship’s first international deployment, after her commissioning in April 2021.
Over the last few days, it was stationed in southern Ha’apai and assisted with cleaning up and establishing a local distribution centre on Nomuka.