UK sends relief supplies to Tonga and NZ boosts aid to $3 million NZ dollars

UK sends relief supplies to Tonga and NZ boosts aid to $3 million NZ dollars

Posted by : Frank Short Posted on : 21-Jan-2022

The UK is sending water, tents and protective equipment to tsunami-hit Tonga today.

Seventeen pallets of supplies, including 90 family tents, eight community tents and six wheelbarrows are being sent on an Australian Navy ship.

The UK is also redeploying Royal Navy ship HMS Spey to sail to Tonga to support the relief effort.

The ship, which carries water and medical equipment, will stop in Tahiti before sailing to Tonga.

The UK-funded Disaster Relief Emergency Fund has also released about NZ$694,000 to support Tonga.

Australia is also shipping humatarian assistance by a navy ship.

Meanwhile, the NZ government has announced a further $2 million in aid to help Tonga recover after the huge eruption nearly a week ago.

It brings New Zealand's humanitarian support funding in the wake of Saturday's Hunga Tonga-Hunga Ha'apai eruption to $3m.

Foreign Affairs Minister Nanaia Mahuta and Defence Minister Peeni Henare said the funding would allow supplies like drinking water, food, engineering equipment and tools to clear debris to be sent to the island kingdom.

Henare said HMNZS Canterbury, which carried two NH90 helicopters, would also leave Devonport for Tonga overnight - the third NZ Defence Force ship to make the journey - and would also carry tarpaulins, water containers, milk powder, and engineering equipment.

 It follows HMNZS Wellington - which has helped carry out surveying work - and HMNZS Aotearoa which arrived and offloaded humanitarian stores today.

Foreign Minister Mahuta said $1.5m of the latest funding would help support work by local authorities and humanitarian organisations, supply water generation and clean-up equipment, and go towards supplies for relief flights on NZ Defence Force C-130 Hercules.

The first such flight landed in Tonga yesterday afternoon.

The remaining $500,000 would support New Zealand non-government organisations to work with local partners through a New Zealand Disaster Response Partnership round.

Ms. Mahuta said she had discussed the relief efforts with her Tongan counterpart Fekitamoeloa 'Utoikamanu today.

"We discussed the significant challenges Tonga has in looking after its people as it cleans up after this disaster. I have assured her that we stand by to offer more assistance when needed."

NZDF divers are also expected to check wharf infrastructure today, the ministers' statement said.

Source; Radio New Zealand.

Yours sincerely

Frank Short

www.solomonislandsinfocus.com

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