A major humanitarian aid initiative is underway in Tonga's Ha'apai group.
More than 200 personnel from the defence services of the United States, New Zealand, Australia, Canada and Singapore arrived in Ha'apai over the weekend.
The operation called Pacific Partnership 2009 involves Tonga's Defence Services and its foreign colleagues.
The commander of the programme says his team arrived with supplies and materials for engineering construction and medical services.
Captain Andrew Cully says their engineering personnel will also work in numerous sites throughout Foa and Lifuka islands.
He says they will also conduct a medical outreach to the Ha'ano, 'Uiha and Ha'afeva Islands.
