Aid finally reaches devastated Tonga, water supply ship awaited

A Royal New Zealand Air Force C-130 Hercules landed at the South Pacific island nation's Fua'amotu International Airport, a defence spokesperson said, after a blanket of volcanic ash was cleared off the runway.An Australian Globemaster C-17A military transporter also landed, with a second Australian aircraft due to make the flight later in the evening.

The New Zealand aircraft was carrying humanitarian aid and disaster relief supplies, including kits for temporary shelters, generators, hygiene and family kits, and communications equipment, foreign minister Nanaia Mahuta said. Ms Rachael Moore, Australia's high commissioner to Tonga, said the loss of property had been"catastrophic", and that drinking water was"an extremely high priority".The second ship, carrying 250,000 litres of water and desalination equipment that will be able to produce 70,000 litres a day, was en route. The Commission said it would check shipping channels and wharf approaches at Tonga's port in preparation for its arrival on Friday.

"Each home has their own tanks of water supply but most of them are filled with dust so it's not safe," Ms Kupu said.Tongans abroad were frantically calling families back home to ensure they are safe. The United Nations said about 84,000 people — more than 80 per cent of the population — has been badly affected by the disaster with safe water being"the biggest life-saving issue".

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