Australia will partner with New Zealand to support the island nation of Tonga recover from the eruption of an underwater volcano on Saturday, sparking evacuation orders after the blast generated tsunami warnings across the Pacific Ocean.
Prime Minister Scott Morrison and his New Zealand counterpart Jacinda Ardern spoke on Sunday about coordinating the countries’ aid effort, which will include offers of supplies and personnel to work with non-government organisations.
Tonga Hunga Ha’apai volcano spewing ash, gas and steam into the atmosphere.
Minister for International Development and the Pacific Zed Seselja said Tonga had accepted assistance from Australia and New Zealand, and the details of this effort will continue to evolve as the situation on the ground became clearer.
Mr Seselja said it was a “fluid situation” and the government was yet to receive detailed information, but it was ready to offer more assistance as the situation demands.
“The Australian government stands ready to do much more as the situation unfolds as we understand the situation better. And we’ll be making those offers through officials,” he said.
The Hunga Tonga-Hunga Ha’apai volcano is located 65 kilometres north of Tongan capital Nuku’alofa, forming an uninhabited island that rises about 100 metres above the sea. When it erupted shockwaves were blasted across the region, and large waves rolled across the Pacific. There are no reported fatalities.
Ms Ardern said there had been significant damage in Nuku’alofa, but the situation appeared to be “calm and stable”, however, outlying areas and islands in the Tongan archipelago had not been assessed.
“Telecommunication authorities are working urgently to restore communication,” she said. “Shops along the coast have been damaged and a significant cleanup will be needed. It’s covered in thick film on volcanic dust but otherwise conditions are calm and stable.
“Power has been restored to some parts and mobile phones are working. However, I would note that we have not yet received the news from other coastal areas of Tonga or the other islands.”
Ms Ardern offered initial financial assistance of AUD$472,000, which she said was only a starting figure and more would be offered.
Tonga remains virtually COVID-free, and Ms Ardern and Mr Seselja said their disaster response plans would work with the county’s strict border control measures.
“All of our New Zealand Defence Force staff are fully vaccinated and the reason for that is to make sure that they are able to deploy safely at a moments notice,” Ms Ardern said. “We will be working with officials on the ground in Tonga and make sure that we meet expectations and protocols that they have established.”
Mr Seselja said Australia has been “working on a lot of procedures in the last couple of years as to how to deliver humanitarian assistance”.
Communications with Tonga have been disrupted by the blast and Australia had patrol boats on the scene, Mr Seselja said.
A reconnaissance flight would leave Brisbane on Monday morning to gather information, but its access to Tonga may be impeded by the giant ash cloud spewed by the volcano. A C-130 Hercules aircraft will also be ready to depart with enough supplies to provide shelter for 100 displaced families.
Mr Seselja said anyone in the Tongan community in Australia who wants to assist should provide financial support to aid organisations.
Labor international development and Pacific spokesman Pat Conroy welcomed the government’s offer of support to Tonga.
“We hope that no one has been harmed and no lives have been lost,” Mr Conroy said. “Australia must remain a partner of choice to Pacific nations and assist them in their times of need.”
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