The warden of the Gold Coast's Tongan community has warned that humanitarian efforts are "on the clock" following the volcanic eruption that has affected about 80 per cent of the island nation's population.
On Saturday, the underwater volcano Hunga Tonga-Hunga Ha'apai erupted unleashing a force 500 times stronger than the atomic bomb dropped on Hiroshima.
Warden Ox Sipu said he finally managed to speak with his sister-in-law in the capital Nuku'alofa over the phone on Thursday.
"They're in need of clean water," he said.
"At the moment the water is running out quickly obviously because the only water that is safe to drink is bought water from shops."
The World Health Organisation and UNICEF have warned a thick layer of volcanic ash has contaminated water supplies, destroyed crops, and affected air quality.
As of Thursday afternoon, the death toll had risen to three with fears the arrival of international aid could also bring COVID-19 into Tonga.
Trauma, but family is safe
Mr Sipu said the only line of communication is over a 2G phone, which took 40 minutes to connect and only lasted about three minutes.
However brief, he said it was a "massive relief" to hear his family whose house, about 1km from the shoreline, was flooded.
"The main thing is they're safe, no-one was injured. A bit traumatic especially for the children," he said.
But Mr Sipu said the situation on the ground remained desperate with "on-and-off" power supplies causing havoc for food storage.
"They reckon there might only be a week or two possibly of food and that's talking about canned and wrapped food," he said.
"We're on the clock."
Relief efforts underway
Mr Sipu said communication between different parts of Tonga was sporadic, and his family had been asked to remain within their local area while authorities assessed the damage.
"There's a lot of sludge going around and obviously with ash-fall, everything looks black and real mucky," he said.
The Royal Australian Air Force has sent at least two aircraft loaded with humanitarian supplies to Tonga, while HMAS Adelaide was due to leave from Brisbane on Thursday.
New Zealand has sent two navy vessels carrying supplies expected to arrive by the end of the week, while its government has offered two assistance packages worth $472,000.
The Australian government has committed $1 million in initial aid.
While the main island of Tonga has been devastated, Mr Sipu said greater concerns were held for communities on the smaller, outer islands.
"Keep making those prayers and remember Tonga," he said.
