UN: Clearing ash from airport priority for Tonga

https://www3.nhk.or.jp/nhkworld/en/news/20220119_14/

A United Nations coordinator for relief operations says clearing Tonga's airport runway of ash is a priority for delivering emergency supplies to the Pacific island nation.

Fiji-based UN coordinator Jonathan Veitch said in an online briefing on Wednesday that the runway on Tonga's main island has not been fully cleared as more ash has been falling since Saturday's offshore volcanic eruption.

Veitch said Tonga remains largely offline after the disaster severed an undersea communication cable. He said the overall damage is yet to be assessed because the situation on other islands remains unclear.

The Tongan government announced on Tuesday that three people have been confirmed dead and many others have been injured.

The UN official said removing ash from the airport runway has proved more difficult than first thought, preventing aircraft from transporting relief supplies.

He also said it will take several days for ships to arrive from New Zealand and other countries. He stressed that it was urgent to make the airport operational to swiftly provide drinking water and other supplies.

Veitch said the UN won't send any new staff to the country as Tonga has a very strict COVID-free policy. More than 20 UN staff who were already in the country are now helping with relief efforts.

He said the UN is using satellite phones and other available means to stay in contact so the staff can continue offering support.