Authorities in Tonga are working with local telecommunications companies to expand network capacity in the kingdom following a volcanic eruption and tsunami.
Three people were killed in the disaster which has impacted tens of thousands in Tonga.
This handout photo taken on January 16, 2022 and received on January 25 courtesy of Rev. Kisini Toetu'u via Matangi Tonga shows survivors praying on a hilltop at dawn on Mango Island, following the January 15 eruption of the nearby Hunga Tonga-Hunga Ha'apai underwater volcano. Photo: AFP PHOTO / Courtesy of Rev. Kisini Toetu'u via Matangi Tonga" -
Water, food and shelter are still the priority in the recovery with at least 150 people from the most affected outer islands relocated to the capital.
Our PM @totisova welcomed the arrival of the people from Mango Island who were evacuated to Nomuka, PM & Cabinet were at the Tonga Royal Navy’s Base- Masefield. The kāinga were brought on Voea Ngahau Koula to Nuku’alofa for safety and shelter. Courtesy M. Palu MOH. pic.twitter.com/pAbj6tir3q
— Consulate of the Kingdom of Tonga (@ConsulateKoT) January 23, 2022
The speaker of the legislative assembly Lord Fakafanua said an emotional welcome was held for the evacuees on arrival in Tongatapu starting with a church service.
Lord Fakafanua is also urging family overseas, who have yet to contact their loved ones to continue trying, as work continues to improve and repair telecommunications in the kingdom.
"The High Commissions of New Zealand and Australia on the ground have set up, and also with the Red Cross, systems for you to check on your loved ones if you still haven't heard from them.
"At the same time texting and calling is now available but it is easier for those in Tonga to reach us overseas," he said.
Re-establishing links with Ha'apai and Vava'u
Digicel Tonga said a team of engineers will be flown to the island of Kao today to repair a microwave link that will restore mobile communications in two Tonga island groups.
Telecommunications remain cut off in the Ha'apai and Vava'u Group of islands in Tonga, with satellite phones being their only way of contacting the outside world.
The CEO of Digicel in Tonga, Anthony Seuseu said Digicel mobile networks are expected to be re-established within the next few days.
"We have a microwave link and it connects Tongatapu with the Ha'apai and Vava'u, and so because the cable is broken, the only way to get communication working in Ha'apai and Vava'u is through that microwave link," he said.
More aid to Tonga
Meanwhile, the first Air New Zealand flight landed at Fua'amotu International Airport in Tonga today after significant ash fall was cleared from the runway.
It took off from Auckland at 9.20am carrying cargo including fresh water, medical supplies, garments, bedding, urgent machine and automotive parts.
Flight NZ1172 is expected to depart from Tongatapu this afternoon, with both cargo and passengers onboard.
A ship carrying 25 shipping containers full of donated non-perishable goods is leaving for Tonga on Wednesday night.
Photo: RNZ / Lydia Lewis
Hundreds of families are sending emergency supplies for people struggling without the basics almost two weeks after the volcanic eruption and tsunami.
More than 1000 drums, weighing up to 150-kilograms each, have been packed into 22 containers so far.
The final push is underway at Auckland's Mount Smart Stadium to finish loading the rest before the Matson ship leaves tonight.
A member of the Aotearoa Tonga Relief Committee, Pakilau Manase Lua, said the volunteers are doing an amazing job, out of love.
Pakilau Manase Lua. Photo: Supplied
He asks those in the Tongan community who missed out on sending aid to their family to be patient - as getting things done is slower now New Zealand is in the Covid-19 red setting.
Ngāti Whātua has blessed the containers.
The ship is due to arrive in Tonga on Saturday.
Schools
More than $60,000 has been raised in a New Zealand-based appeal to help children in Tonga return safely to school for the start of term next week.
Save the Children will use the appeal funds to set up safe spaces for children to learn from and are shipping critical supplies to Tonga like classroom kits, chalkboards, school bags, as well as large tents to be used as temporary classrooms.
Severe damage to some schools and complete destruction of others threatens to delay the return to school for thousands of Tongan children on Monday.
Save the Children New Zealand chief executive Heidi Coetzee said the $62,000 raised will also go towards replacing school books and materials.
France
Two planes have been sent by New Caledonia to help with relief aid in Tonga.
One Falcon 200 Guardian has carried out a reconnaissance flight over the isolated parts of Tonga on Tuesday.
The reconnaissance flight's mission was to take photos of isolated islands surrounding Tonga to inspect the level of damage.
"Those pictures will be sent to Tongan authorities only, and are the property of the Tongan government," army communication for the French army Karine Desfolies said.
#Tonga | @FANC_Officiel & @ALPACIFRAPACOM prepare for emergency delivery of humanitarian fret by air and sea, to assist Tongian population after the volcanic eruption. pic.twitter.com/LNmZwGdRru
— Armée française - Opérations militaires (@EtatMajorFR) January 21, 2022
"Operations are now at the first stage of urgent aid and we are now at the second phase, where we are delivering shelter material."
A Casa transport plane is carrying freight to Tonga on Wednesday. It will mainly carry jerrycans of water and tents, Desfolies said.
Meanwhile, the French navy vessel based in French Polynesia, L'Arago, left Tahiti last week to transport more aid to Tonga.
USA
The United States, through the US Agency for International Development, USAID, is providing an additional US$2.5 million in humanitarian assistance to support people affected by volcanic eruptions and tsunami waves in Tonga.
USAID is providing critical water, sanitation, and hygiene supplies and supporting disease prevention messaging campaigns to reduce the spread of infectious disease.
USAID will also work through partners to address food security, agriculture, livestock, and shelter needs among the most affected populations.
