At 04:10 GMT on 15 January 2022, the Hunga-Tonga-Hunga-Ha’apai underwater volcano erupted in the South Pacific Ocean. Al Jazeera reported that the eruption sent plumes of smoke and ash 20 km above sea level and prompted tsunami warnings across the Pacific, including in Samoa, Australia, Japan, Hawaii and Chile. Shortly after the eruption, a tsunami hit Tonga, washing boats and other debris ashore. In Nuku’alofa, the kingdom’s capital, the wave measured 1.2 metres high.

In the immediate aftermath of the tsunami, there was limited information relating to the extent of damage and casualties in the kingdom of 105,000 people. The tsunami damaged a key underwater cable, cutting communications with the outside world. Reuters reported that telephone communications were restored on 19 January, though internet services are not expected to be restored for another month. Reports indicate that the tsunami destroyed villages and resorts throughout the 170 island archipelago, and as of 21 January, there were three confirmed deaths.

On 20 January, the United Nations (UN) released a statement estimating that up to 80% of Tonga’s population, or 84,000 people, had been affected by the eruption and tsunami. In addition to the immediate damage caused by the tsunami, the UN noted the residual impact of the eruption, noting a particular concern “with the effect of ashfall on crops along with saltwater intrusion, and the potential of acid rain.”

According to the report, between 60-70% of households that rely upon livestock have been affected through damage to grazing land, contamination of key water supplies and the death of livestock. The government has also advised against fishing or consuming fish due to concerns over contamination and safety. The UN is currently working with the government in Tonga to assess the extent of humanitarian aid required in the immediate aftermath of the eruption and tsunami. This assessment is estimated to be finalised during the week of 23 January.

The international community has already started to provide relief. On 21 January, Reuters reported that a New Zealand navy ship arrived in Nuku’alofa with 250,000 litres of water and desalination equipment. According to New Zealand’s High Commission, this equipment will enable Tonga to desalinate 70,000 litres of water each day. Further supplies are expected to arrive over the coming days. In addition, the UK government confirmed on 21 January that it had redeployed a navy ship to deliver supplies including water, tents and protective equipment to Tonga.

The provision of aid to Tonga is complicated by Covid-19. There has only been one reported case of Covid-19 throughout the kingdom, which occurred in October 2021. However, there are fears that aid could bring Covid-19 to the kingdom. In fact, some ships and planes carrying aid have already been turned away. For example, Reuters reported that an Australian aid plane turned back mid-flight due to a Covid-19 case amongst the crew members.

Information on the extent of aid required in Tonga should become clear in the coming weeks. The international community is already responding to the disaster, but it must continue to do so for as long as Tonga needs support. However, the eruption, tsunami and resulting humanitarian issues are a much wider trend. Natural disasters are increasing in frequency due to climate change, and low-lying island nations are particularly vulnerable to the effects of climate change – particularly flooding, violent storms and tsunamis. It is time for the international community to listen to the concerns of nations most drastically affected by climate change and rethink climate strategy to prevent similar crises.