Tonga: track cleared, first aid can arrive tomorrow

(ANSA) - WELLINGTON, 20 JAN - The first emergency aid planes for the Tonga Islands will be able to land from tomorrow after today the main airstrip was cleared of ash from the volcano that erupted last Saturday, causing unotsunami.

    "The main airstrip, which was buried by 5-10cm of volcanic ash, is operational again", announced Jonathan Veitch, in charge of coordinating the operations of the United Nations, adding that the first flights, coming from Australia and New Zealand, they can arrive tomorrow.

    Over 100,000 people, the equivalent of the population, were affected by the double event and according to initial estimates there is an urgent need for drinking water.

"The water supplies of the Tonga Islands have been severely contaminated by ash and salt water," said Katie Greenwood, of the International Federation of the Red Cross and Red Crescent, adding that there is "a high risk of diseases such as cholera and diarrhea."

    The country, considered Covid-free, and the United Nations also fear that aid from abroad could bring cases of Covid to the archipelago.

(HANDLE).