Tongan govt says 85% of the population impacted by volcanic eruption

Tonga faces a long road to recovery, with most of the population affected by the violent eruption and tsunami that followed and many areas still scrambling to restore basic necessities.

The Tongan government says almost 85% of the country's population of about 105,000 people has been affected.

The death toll remains at three.

Telephone communications between the islands are still a major challenge.

Ships from Australia, the UK, Japan and the US are on their way to Tonga carrying supplies and personnel, as well as a New Zealand navy ship.

Two New Zealand navy ships and a Fijian vessel have already reached the island country, and two supply runs have been carried out by C-130 Hercules from New Zealand.

The Tongan government says aid deliveries arriving at sea are facing significant challenges since the volcanic fallout on the ocean surface is damaging ships.

Domestic flights remain suspended.

[Source:  RNZ]