10 Feb 2014

Australia pledges futher cyclone aid and coordination with Tonga

5:11 pm on 10 February 2014

The Australian Government says it is committed to continuing to assist the people of Tonga affected by Cyclone Ian.

More than 3,500 people were left homeless when Cyclone Ian hit the Ha'apai island group last month.

On Sunday 200 family tents and 250 hygiene kits were sent from Australia to help address the urgent needs of displaced families in Tonga, to go with the US$45,000 in emergency supplies through the Tonga Red Cross Society.

The government says funding was also given to Tonga's health ministry to purchase essential drugs as well as a water pump for the main hospital in Ha'apai.

In conjunction with the World Bank, the Australian government is also re-prioritising funds from a joint infrastructure program to fix the damaged airport tower, the port and roads.