The Australian Defence Force is supporting the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade (DFAT) coordinated mission to support the Government of Tonga following the eruption of Tonga’s Hunga Tonga-Hunga Ha’apai underwater volcano on 15 January.
A Royal Australian Air Force P-8A Poseidon Aircraft will assess damage to critical infrastructure such as roads, ports and power lines, which will determine the next phase of the response effort.
“Australia is ready to immediately respond to requests for assistance with the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade and Department of Defence coordinating critical humanitarian supplies for disaster relief” said Senator Zed Seselja, Australian Minister for International Development and the Pacific.
The eruption on was so powerful it was recorded around the world, triggering a tsunami that flooded Pacific coastlines from Japan to the United States.
