experts warn of long term health impacts

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The C-130 Hercules touched down in the afternoon, loaded with water containers, temporary shelter kits, electricity generators, hygiene and family kits and communications equipment.

A Royal Navy ship, HMS Spey, will set sail for Tonga on Friday with supplies including water and medical equipment. UK-funded supplies will also be onboard the Royal Australian Navy’s HMAS Adelaide, which was also due to set sail for Nuku’alofa on Friday.

In total 17 pallets of supplies are being sent on HMAS Adelaide today, all items were provided at the request of the Tongan government, including 90 family tents, eight community tents and six wheel barrows.

Defense Secretary Ben Wallace said: “The UK will work closely with Australia and New Zealand to assist the recovery effort in Tonga and stands ready to support our long-standing Commonwealth partner.”

Finding clean drinking water, which relies on rainwater harvesting systems, would be a “major priority issue” in the coming days, said Dr Abhishek Rimal, Asia Pacific Emergency Health Coordinator, International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies.

“These ashes and the chemicals coming out of the volcanic eruption have polluted the water so people are really trying to find an alternative source,” he said, warning that failure to do so would lead to severe gastric problems and acute diarrhea.

Scientists have predicted that longer term environmental damage could emerge from the release of sulfur dioxide and nitrogen oxide creating acid rain that is harmful to staple crops like taro, corn, bananas and vegetables, compromising food security.

There are further fears for marine life in Tonga’s 700,000 square km exclusive economic zone that provides livelihoods and another crucial food source for many of the nation’s citizens.

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