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European Civil Protection and Humanitarian Aid Operations
News article22 January 2022Directorate-General for European Civil Protection and Humanitarian Aid Operations (ECHO)

Tonga: EU channels emergency assistance

Satellite image from Tonga
The consequences of the Hunga Tonga-Hunga Ha'apai volcanic eruption captured by the Copernicus satellite
© Copernicus/ESA/Sentinal Hub.

Following a request for assistance, the EU is channelling aid to Tonga in the aftermath of the volcanic eruption of Hunga Tonga-Hunga Ha'apai and tsunami in the South Pacific. A first vessel departed from French Polynesia to deliver assistance to the affected islands.

Via the EU Civil Protection Mechanism, the EU is coordinating with France the delivery of humanitarian aid. The European Commission coordinates the delivery and finances 75% of the transporting costs.

This aid comes in addition to €200,000 in initial EU emergency humanitarian funding for the Tonga Red Cross Society to assist the most affected communities.

On this occasion, European Commissioner for Crisis Management Janez Lenarčič said: “The EU stands in full solidarity with the people of Tonga at this difficult time while the assessment of the disaster impact is ongoing. With European support being already on its way, I deeply thank France for their immediate help. Our thoughts are with all those affected and with the national first responders on the scene. The EU stands ready to provide further assistance and expertise.”

The European Union's 24/7 Emergency Response Coordination Centre is in regular contact with the Tongan authorities and the EU Delegation in Fiji.

In addition, the EU's Copernicus emergency satellite service has produced images from space to assess the extent of destruction all across the Tonga archipelago.

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