In Tonga, the archipelago country of the Pacific Ocean, which experienced a tsunami after a major volcanic eruption on January 14, the survivors of the disaster began to be heard slowly.
The story of Lisala Folau, who told a local radio station that she swam for more than a day to survive the tsunami, had a particularly impact around the world.
Folau, who was contacted by the BBC on Friday, said that after being dragged into the sea by the tsunami, he was wrapped in a piece of log and managed to reach the shore face to face for more than a day.
There are 3 officially confirmed casualties so far in the Tonga Islands, but it will take time to realize the true extent of damage and loss on the archipelago devastated by the disaster.
Communications were also greatly disrupted, as the only submarine cable connecting Tonga to the outside world was damaged.
Speaking to the BBC, survivor Lisala Folau told that she was afraid when she saw a big wave coming towards her, but believed that God would protect her.
Aid is starting to arrive
Meanwhile, the number of countries sending aid to the islands of Tonga with ships and planes is increasing and the first aid has started to arrive.
It was the first major international aid from a New Zealand ship that reached Tongatapu, the largest of the archipelago, on Friday. This ship was carrying 250,000 liters of water and a treatment plant capable of converting 70,000 liters of sea water into drinking water per day.
The United Nations has reported that the availability of clean water is currently the biggest problem in this island nation in the Pacific Ocean.
By contrast, tests on the country’s largest main island on Friday showed that drinking water was safe.
The New Zealand government also said in its update statement, “Still, some areas in Tongatapu do not have access to drinking water. Drinking water is delivered to the outer periphery islands.”
Despite the news that a large number of people could not be heard in the statement, it was added that there are three people, two Tongan citizens and one British citizen, who have been confirmed to have died in the disaster so far.
HMAS Adelaide, the largest ship allocated to aid efforts by Australia, set off for Tonga today.
HMAS Adelaide, which also carries helicopters that can be used for rescue and relief efforts on the small islands in the fringes, is expected to arrive in Tonga in the middle of this week.
Britain also reported on Friday that it had allocated the navy ship HMS Spey to Tonga and sent aid supplies in advance to go with the Australian ship.
Due to the difficulties caused by the collapse of volcanic ash on the island, international aid could not be delivered in the first days.
Airport cleared of ashes
Aid volunteers worked for days to clear the runway of the airport on the largest island, Tongatapu, from ash so that planes carrying aid could land.
The first two planes from New Zealand and Australia, carrying airdrops, landed on Thursday. These planes carried drinking water, desalination equipment, cleaning supplies, shelter, communication jihads, and medical supplies.
On the other hand, possible precautions are being taken to deliver aid “contactless” with the concern that Covid may be transmitted to a community that has not yet met with the virus.
A second Australian plane carrying aid returned on Thursday when one of the crew members tested positive for Covid.
The ships are expected to deliver much larger amounts of aid.
On the other hand, Tonga’s communication networks began to be repaired gradually.
The eruption of the volcano damaged the only submarine internet cable that connects this archipelago with a population of 110,000 to the outside world.
Until Wednesday, most Tongans outside the country had not heard from their relatives. Communication was only possible through establishments with satellite telephones on the island.
Regional competition over aid
Japan and China also announced that they would send aid.
Japan has allocated a military aircraft and is about to complete its preparations.
China announced that it will send 100 thousand dollars in aid and aid materials.
Tonga is an important archipelago country where the regional powers in the Pacific Ocean are trying to increase their influence and therefore they are competing with each other. Recently it has been receiving large amounts of loans and grants from China.
China is the second largest foreign aid donor to this country after Australia.
Earlier this week, Australian Prime Minister Kevin Rudd said on Twitter: “Australia should be the first and biggest provider of aid to Tonga. Otherwise, China will be loaded there.”