Critically injured Tongans whose island home Niuatoputapu was devastated by last week's tsunami continue to be flown 500km south to the main island of Tongatapu.
Two were flown out yesterday, with one more awaiting transport to Tongatapu. Damage to the southern end of the sole runway means that only smallplanes can land, hampering relief efforts.
More than 1000 people live on the island, which is closer to Samoa than other Tongan island groups. Half had their homes destroyed by the tsunami.
Niuatoputapu people understood that help was coming, albeit slowly, Government spokesman Alfred Soakai said.
"It takes about 26-28 hours for our patrol boat travelling at 20 knots to get there.
"They totally understand the isolation because they live there - they know how long it takes to get help in."
Mr Soakai said despite those difficulties, the Tongan Government felt the situation was under control.
A team of 20 Tahitian doctors, nurses and engineers had arrived while containers for water, which should hold enough for a month, had been transported by a French navalvessel.
Tomorrow engineers would look at long-term rebuilding efforts, he said.
High on the priority list is building a school for 56 teenagers who are due to sit exams next month. Their high school is undamaged but it is being used as a base for relief efforts.
Nine Tongans died in the disaster.
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Pacific Cooperation Foundation
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