Results for Natural events

A range of emergency relief goods, including food, water, and equipment, donated by Japan have been received by the Tongan Government.

Tongan technicians were transported to Kao Island in Australian helicopters to repair a key Digicel tower to help restore communications to the outer islands in a three day operation completed on February 22.

Tongan rugby union player, Hosea Saumaki, and Leicester Tigers supporters in England, have sponsored much needed relief supplies to help many families affected by the tsunamis in Tonga.

Around small 200 boats were damaged by the tsunamis generated by the volcanic eruption on January 15, the Prime Minister Hon Siaosi Sovaleni said on Friday, Feb. 17. The loss is significant since boats are essential for fishing to feed families, especially on remote islands, and for transporting villagers. The government is trying to get one or two boats replaced for each community.

SpaceX has donated 50 VSAT terminals to Tonga. “They are sending over 50 terminals and we are looking at how we can best utilize it,” Prime Minister Hon. Siaosi Sovaleni said this afternoon.

Thirty of the 34 container of relief goods that arrived from New Zealand to support families have been distributed, confirmed the Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for MEIDECC Hon Poasi Tei at a press conference today, February 14.

UNICEF and the Government of Japan announced a new US$1,250,000 partnership to support the Government of Tonga to ensure that about 19,250 people, including 10,000 children, affected by the recent volcanic eruption and tsunami have sufficient access to safe drinking water, a clean environment, as well as good health.

A team of Tongan geologists who went out to observe the Jan. 14 eruption of the Hunga Tonga Hunga Ha'apai volcano witnessed spectacular explosions on the dangerous mission on Friday afternoon. The pulsating explosions throughout the day were also viewed from weather satellites in space.

A plume of ash, steam and gas has dispersed at a radius of 250km from the Hunga-Tonga-Hunga-Ha’apai Volcano over Tongatapu, ‘Eua, Vava’u and Ha’apai group, Tonga Geological Services advised at 12:45pm today.