The United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) Pacific is ready to work with the Government of Tonga and its partners to ensure urgent lifesaving support is provided to families and children in the aftermath of the volcanic eruption and tsunami.
UNICEF Pacific representative Jonathan Veitch said they were on standby to provide humanitarian support to the Government of Tonga and its people affected by the volcanic eruption and tsunami.
“UNICEF will work with the government, civil society organisations, and other development partners to ensure immediate response efforts on the ground, which includes providing clean water, and emergency health supplies for children and families affected,” he said in a statement.
He said with borders closed in Tonga because of the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, UNICEF would work with the government and its partners on the ground to reach children and families with the support they urgently needed.
“The majority of the country has been impacted by a one to two centimetre layer of volcanic ash, which is affecting water and food supplies, and negatively impacting air quality. In the coming days, access to clean water supply will be an immediate priority,” the statement said.
“Communication lines have been interrupted since January 15, making it difficult to get information on the extent of the damage.
“Once the needs are confirmed by the Government of Tonga, UNICEF is ready to transport its pre-positioned emergency supplies from Fiji and Brisbane warehouses. These include essential water, sanitation, and hygiene (WASH) kits, water containers and buckets, water field test kits, tarpaulins, recreational kits, and tents, that can be immediately mobilised for distribution.”
