Suva, 20 Jan (Xinhua) -- Jonathan Vecchio, acting permanent coordinator of the United Nations in charge of Tonga affairs, said in an email interview with Xinhua News Agency reporter in Suva, fiji, on 20 January that the United Nations staff stationed in Tonga are going all out to actively coordinate assistance to Tonga.
Jonathan Vecchi said the United Nations will consult with the Government of Tonga on its specific request for assistance, and Tonga is expected to submit a specific request for assistance to donors by the 23rd. At present, the Government of Tonga has requested the International Telecommunication Union to provide satellite broadband services and New Zealand and other donors to provide telephone services. UNICEF will deliver disinfection hygiene kits, portable oil drums and other aid supplies to Tonga on the 21st.
Referring to the damage caused by the eruption to Tonga, Jonathan Vecchi said that a total of 84,000 people in Tonga are currently affected by the eruption and the tsunami it caused, accounting for about 84% of the country's total population. In addition, about 100 houses were damaged and about 50 more were completely destroyed, with the effects of volcanic ash affecting the entire territory of Tonga. Given the current limited capacity to assess, details of the full loss are not yet known.
Jonathan Vecchi said that at this difficult time, the United Nations will work with the people of Tonga to overcome the difficulties and support the Tongan government in actively carrying out post-disaster reconstruction work.
A violent eruption of the submarine volcano on the island of Aha Apai in Tongahun on the 14th and 15th has caused 3 deaths and some injuries. The Government of Tonga declared a state of emergency throughout the country from 16 January to 13 February.
![The first batch of Chinese aid was delivered to Tonga[fig]](data:image/gif;base64,R0lGODlhAQABAIAAAP///wAAACwAAAAAAQABAAACAkQBADs=)