NZ Government makes $500,000 available for assistance in Tonga

Sunday, 16 January 2022

Tsunami waves swamped low-lying areas of the Pacific Island nation on Saturday, forcing Tongans to flee to higher ground.

The New Zealand Government has made an initial $500,000 available to provide assistance to Tonga following a volcanic eruption that sent tsunami waves crashing onto the Pacific Island.

A spokesperson for the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade said “an initial $500,000” had been made available on request of the Tongan Government.

“Damage assessments are under way and New Zealand has formally offered to provide assistance to Tonga. An NZDF P3 Orion is on stand-by to provide aerial surveillance as soon as atmospheric conditions allow.”

By noon on Sunday, the New Zealand High Commission in Nuku‘alofa had received no official reports of injuries or deaths, but the ministry acknowledged that communications were limited.

Waves struck the Pacific Island kingdom after the Hunga-Tonga-Hunga-Ha'apai volcano erupted.

* Why the volcanic eruption in Tonga was so violent, and what to expect next

* Likelihood of Tongan volcano erupting again 'hard to predict' due to lack of active monitoring

The volcanic eruption sent ash, steam and gas 20 kilometres into the air.

“Communications links with Tonga have been disrupted, so New Zealanders may have difficulties contacting their whānau in Tonga at this time.”

The ministry urged Kiwis in Tonga to follow advice from local authorities and to keep family in New Zealand informed of their wellbeing.

“All New Zealanders in Tonga are advised to register their details on www.safetravel.govt.nz.”

There are currently 30 New Zealanders registered on SafeTravel as being in Tonga.

This satellite image taken by Himawari-8, a Japanese weather satellite, and released by the agency, shows the undersea volcano eruption at the Pacific nation of Tonga. (Japan Meteorology Agency via AP)

Meanwhile, a spokesperson for the Salvation Army confirmed it was working with local incident management advice to provide assistance to people affected.

Global children’s charity Save the Children said the organisation was monitoring the situation closely and was ready to assist the communities affected. Save the Children has a small presence in Tonga, with more significant staff and resources in Fiji and Vanuatu.

The organisation's Fiji CEO Shairana Ali said the booms from the volcanic eruption could be clearly heard in Fiji.

“There have been tidal and tsunami waves hitting parts of Fiji and Vanuatu, causing some damage to coastal areas but thankfully not fatalities,” Ali said.

“Communications have been affected, but we’re doing what we can to ensure those living in low-lying coastal areas are moving to higher-ground.”

Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern said she will provide an update on what is happening in Tonga at 3pm on Sunday.

The underwater volcano Hunga-Tonga-Hunga-Ha'apai, located about 30 kilometres south-east of Fonuafo'ou island in Tonga, erupted on Friday sending ash, steam and gas 20 kilometres into the air.

Tsunami waves swamped low-lying areas of the Pacific Island nation on Saturday, forcing Tongans to flee to higher ground as the water crashed into homes.

Marco Brenna, senior lecturer at the School of Geology at the University of Otago, told Stuff earlier that satellite imagery showed the eruption plume spread over a vast area, including Tonga, which meant an ash fallout was likely.

This could lead to the destruction of vegetation, contamination of water sources, as well as health risks due to volcanic ash in the air.