contact. it is very difficult, with the ash cloud causing problems with satellite phones, the undersea cable has been damaged, and also we have equipment power outages making communication very difficult. we know that despite that there is action happening on the ground. the lower lying atolls that you mention, how many people live there, and how much warning that they have had? would they be completely submerged? we do not know quite the extent of the damage. there are some reports of a completely submerged atolls. we cannot actually say that that is actually accurate and confirmed information at this point in time, thatis information at this point in time, that is why we are very keen to hear from those communities. we are also very keen for the new zealand defence force flight and the australian flight that have offered assistance to the tongan government
well-being? unfortunately, we haven t been able to reach - well-being? unfortunately, we haven t been able to reach my| haven t been able to reach my family since 630 tonga time on saturday since the blackout happen, but i m pretty sure, i do have faith in our good lord but they are well and safe. we would share but they are well and safe. we would share that faith with you and we really do hope that is the case. can i ask you, are you able to do anything? we are hearing about the underwater communications cable, the main sort of communications link is gone for now. is there anything you can do? 0r gone for now. is there anything you can do? or are you just having to sit tight and wait at home? ., . , having to sit tight and wait at home? ., ., , ., , home? unfortunately, at this oint in home? unfortunately, at this point in time, home? unfortunately, at this point in time, we home? unfortunately, at this point in time, we just - home? unfortunately, at this point in time, we jus
with our team just after the major eruption and when the tsunami alert had been raised and our teams were supporting local authorities to move people to the very limited higher ground around nuku alofa on the main island in tonga, so we do know that. we do know also that there has been some significant damage in the northern shore of the main island in tonga. we are very keen to hear from the low lying and outer atolls within tonga itself closer to the eruption site and we have not been able to establish that contact. it s very difficult, with the ash cloud causing problems with satellite phones, the undersea cable has been damaged, and also frequent power outages making communication very difficult. we do know, though, that despite that there is action happening on the ground.
working with all of our partners to try to establish communication lines. ibis try to establish communication lines. , try to establish communication lines. . , ., try to establish communication lines. a ., ,, ., lines. as you mention, i know communications lines. as you mention, i know communications are lines. as you mention, i know communications are really i lines. as you mention, i know i communications are really difficult. how are you getting messages out of there and into their to find out how people are? the there and into their to find out how people are? there and into their to find out how a-eoleare? ., people are? the past two days, three da s, the people are? the past two days, three days. they have people are? the past two days, three days, they have been people are? the past two days, three days, they have been no days, they have been no communication. thus communication we received was straight after the eruption and a total cut off. we are trying our best
these islands have been impacted and the entire population. for instance, ash has fallen on all of those islands and then as you just said has contaminated the water sources. things are luckily improving, we had very difficulties very much difficulties with communication at the beginning because the only fiberoptic cable that connects tonga with the rest of the world through an internet has also been damaged and satellite phones didn t freight because of the ash cloud which interfered with the connection. so this is better now, we are in daily contact with our staff on the ground and also with the tongan authorities and the tongan authorities have been able to run some initial assessments so that we have a better grip on the situation and what s happening on the ground. andreas go ahead. yes. so what unicef is doing at the moment, we have mobilized pre-positioned supplies to help