For the past week, international aid has been arriving in Tonga hit by a powerful volcanic eruption and a tsunami. But no question for those who transport it to come into contact with the Tongans: the kingdom fears more than anything the arrival of the Covid on its soil. Reporting.
With our special correspondent in Nuku’alofa, Charlotte Manny
What is striking when you land in Nuku’alofa are these men fully dressed in white coveralls, protective goggles, gloves and FFP2 masks, despite a temperature approaching 40°C on the overheated tarmac .
The crew of the Casa (cargo plane) of the French army which has just landed will not cut it, they too will have to put on heavy protective clothing.
” It is an almost waterproof outfit to really limit the possible spread of the virus as much as possible, explains the captain, Captain Alix. In fact, even by remaining static you sweat a lot and the stopover quickly becomes painful especially if you have to have handling. »
No question of leaving the immediate environment of the plane, nor of communicating with anyone, the fear of the virus is palpable. The water and food transported from Nouméa will remain outside for three days to avoid any contamination.
“It began by falling gravel from the sky”
But help is needed in this country which still bears the scars of the eruption. On the roof of the airport, men sweep the fallen ashes more than ten days ago now. Ashes, even pebbles, as Etienne, a young Frenchman living in Tonga for three years, tells us.
“ Gradually, it began to fall gravel from the sky, smaller and smaller. It started with two or three centimeter gravel and then it got smaller and smaller and we woke up the next day with one or two centimeters of ash everywhere. »
Etienne will be repatriated to New Caledonia with the Casa of the French army. A new rotation from Noumea is scheduled for this Friday. In total, France has promised to deliver 50 tons of aid this week to Tonga.
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