The Hunga Tonga-Hunga Ha’apai underwater volcano started erupting in late December 2021 and led to a large eruption on January 15, 2022. The volcanic eruption was the worst to hit the Pacific in decades. The eruption generated a 1.2-metre tsunami that hit coastal areas of Tonga’s capital, Nuku’alofa as well as several other countries of the Pacific Ocean. The eruption also generated a 5km wide plume of ash, steam and gas which blew across the islands of Tonga, leaving a 1-2cm layer of volcanic ash in their wake and causing damage and health hazards across the island nation.
The entire population of Tonga, approximately 105,000 people, was impacted by the eruption and about 84,000 of those people were directly affected. Significant damage was reported across the country. Falling ash also caused the contamination of essential water sources, leaving island residents without access to this fundamental resource.
The COVID-19 pandemic has further exacerbated the crisis in Tonga. The poverty rate in Tonga before this eruption was 25% and as a country that relies heavily on tourism, many industries and businesses have been seriously affected because of COVID-19. This has made the country’s recovery even more difficult.
2 CM OF VOLCANIC ASH
1.2 METRE TSUNAMI
105,000 PEOPLE IMPACTED
The country’s recovery is still ongoing six months after the volcanic eruption and many Tongans are still in need of access to safe water. GlobalMedic is responding. Working with our local partners, GlobalMedic is supporting families in need by supplying Family Emergency Kits. These kits provide a holistic solution to safe water access and include a gravity-fed water purification unit, hygiene items, oral rehydration salts, and solar lights. We have sent 1,440 FEKs to date.
GlobalMedic’s RescUAV Team deployed in August to deliver Drone Pilot Training to participants from Tonga Police, National Emergency Management Office, Tonga Civil Aviation Division, Tonga Geological & Natural Resources, the Ministry of Agriculture, Food & Forestry, Tonga Fire & Emergency Services and others. Over the course of this 5 day training our team worked to increase the response capacity of the participating agencies so when the next natural disaster occurs they are better equipped to gather information.
