The UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) says no fewer than 12,000 households have been affected by the volcanic eruption and tsunami that hit the islands of Tonga.

An underwater volcano in the South Pacific erupted violently on Saturday, causing tsunamis to hit Hawaii, Japan, and Tonga’s largest island, Tongatapu — sending waves flooding into the capital.

The Hunga-Tonga-Hunga-Ha’apai volcano, about 30 kilometres (18.6 miles) southeast of Tonga’s Fonuafo’ou island, first erupted on Friday and a second time on Saturday around 5:26 p.m. local time, according to reports.

In total, about 84,000 people, more than 80 per cent of the population of the South Pacific Kingdom, had been affected by the disaster and the volcanic eruption was the largest recorded in thirty years.

Besides the three fatalities reported earlier in the week, no further deaths had been confirmed.

In an update released on Thursday, OCHA confirmed that the whole economically vital agricultural sector, including crops, livestock and fisheries, have suffered substantially.

The agency is particularly concerned with the effect of ashfall on crops along with saltwater intrusion and the potential of acid rain.

Around 60 to 70 per cent of livestock-rearing households have seen their animals perish, grazing land damaged, or water supplies contaminated.

Fisheries operating across the more than 170 islands that make up the archipelago have also been significantly affected, and the government has advised against fishing amidst the ongoing contamination or consuming fish.

Initial Damage Assessments (IDAs) are underway on the main island, Tongatapu, and islands of the Ha’apai group, by Tonga’s National Emergency Management Office (NEMO) and partners.

According to OCHA, most parts of the country, including remote and isolated islands, have also been visited by assessment teams.

So far, five communities in Tongatapu had been identified as having suffered significant damage to households in coastal areas. Around 31 houses were completely damaged, 72 severely, 46 moderately, and 23 suffered minor damage.

According to OCHA, there are still serious concerns about access to safe water and groundwater quality.

The capital’s water supply is safe to drink, but most people now rely on bottled water. Authorities have advised residents against drinking rainwater until more information is available.

Local and international partners are working hard to address these issues, shipping water, purification units and desalination equipment.

Another main issue going forward, according to OCHA, is monitoring the risk of infectious diseases.

There are also reports of a fuel shortage, but petrol supplies are coming as part of the regular shipment and additional Australian government support.

Regarding public health concerns, the hospital and the national pharmacy in the capital are intact and fully functioning. There are some reports, OCHA noted of damage to some health centres in Tongatapu, ‘Eua and Ha’apai.

(NAN)