Red Cross rushing safe drinking water to people across Tonga

Red Cross is rushing safe drinking water to people across Tonga as water supplies have been disrupted by layers of volcanic ash and salt water that were dumped on the Pacific island nation following last weekend’s eruption and tsunami.

The Pacific Head of Delegation for the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies Katie Greenwood says after being cut off from the world, they have successfully contacted Tonga Red Cross for the first time, who report that all their staff and volunteers are safe and working hard, providing relief, including shelter and drinking water.

Greenwood says Red Cross teams are urgently delivering drinking water and relief kits for people who have lost everything and it is heartbreaking and devastating for these remote island communities.

She further says securing access to safe drinking water is a critical immediate priority as they work with their partners and the Australian and New Zealand Governments to get relief supplies such as mobile water treatment facilities into Tonga.

Greenwood adds fortunately, Tonga Red Cross has per-positioned relief supplies to support 1,200 families in exactly this kind of disaster.