A Royal Navy ship is heading to Tonga with vital supplies to help the humanitarian crisis on the islands following the volcanic eruption and tsunami.
Further UK-funded aid is also heading to the islands to help the relief effort on board HMAS Adelaide, of the Australian navy, include almost 100 tents.
The Royal Navy's offshore patrol vessel, HMS Spey, is sailing from Tahiti to Tonga carrying water and medical supplies and is expected to arrive in the next few days.
The aid on HMAS Adelaide has already arrived in Tonga as has more relief as part of New Zealand’s support on Navy ship HMNZS Wellington.
Foreign Secretary, Liz Truss, said: "Our thoughts are with those caught up in the appalling devastation and loss of life caused by the tsunami in Tonga."
The UK has also offered to fund the deployment of crisis experts through the United Nations.
UN humanitarian officials estimate that about 84,000 people - more than 80% of Tonga's population - have been affected by the eruption of an undersea volcano, which has led to deaths, injuries, loss of homes and polluted water.
The Hunga Tonga-Hunga Ha'apai volcano erupted on Saturday, triggering a tsunami which has caused devastation across the archipelago nation.
HMAS Adelaide will set sail on Friday carrying British aid including 90 family tents, eight community tents and six wheel barrows, with all items provided at the request of the Tongan government.
Defence Secretary, Ben Wallace, instructed HMS Spey to sail to Tonga to assist in the humanitarian aid operation.
He, reported the Telegraph, said: “In response to the [eruption] in the Pacific Ocean, I have instructed HMS Spey to sail to Tonga to assist in the humanitarian aid operation.
“The UK will work closely with Australia and New Zealand to assist the recovery effort in Tonga and stands ready to support our long-standing Commonwealth partner.”
HMS Spey is due to arrive in Tonga next week and the vessel's commanding officer, Commander Mike Proudman, said: "I'm proud that the Royal Navy can play its part in the efforts to respond to the devastating volcanic eruption and tsunami in Tonga."
