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When the Hunga Tonga-Hunga Ha'apai underwater volcano erupted in Tonga on January 15, it caused a communications blackout that left the country without internet and no international phone service.

Just over a month since Tonga was struck by a violent one-in-a-thousand year disaster, it is still struggling to recover from the fallout of the devastating event.

Tonga's Prime Minister Hu'akavemeiliku Siaosi Sovaleni says rebuilding mental health after the recent volcanic eruption and tsunami is a challenge.

A team of workers from Elon Musk's SpaceX are in Fiji trying to re-establish full internet communications in Tonga, with a Starlink broadband connection. Audio

From the breakdown in communications to delays in repatriation, seasonal workers from Tonga are grappling with the challenges that disasters bring.

Tonga's new Prime Minister believes the "resilience" and "strength" of people will get the Kingdom through the impacts of the volcanic eruption, tsunami and now Covid-19.

Investigations are being conducted into the source of a Covid-19 outbreak in Tonga, according to the prime minister.

The Kingdom of Tonga will go into nationwide lockdown from 6pm on Wednesday.

A tsunami expert says forecasting models and warning systems did not account for the boosting effects of the shockwave from the recent Tonga volcanic eruption.

The American Samoa government's humanitarian relief drive for Tonga has raised more than US$90,000.

Tongan King Tupou VI is urging his people to unite and find the will to rebuild their island home following the devastation of a volcanic eruption and tsunami two weeks ago.

Tonga is already rebuilding amid the devastation of a double whammy of natural disasters, according to the Red Cross.

Aotearoa Tonga Relief Committee co-chair and Labour MP Jenny Salesa is confident Tonga can handle Covid-19 on board HMAS Adelaide. Meanwhile, she's been preparing about $1.6m in aid for the nation. Audio

Volcanologists estimate the material ejected in the Hunga Tonga-Hunga Ha'apai eruption was about twice that of the Mount St Helens eruption in 1980.

Specialist New Zealand Defence Force staff will be checking Tonga's shipping lanes are passable and the wharf is safe so desperately needed humanitarian supplies can get through. Audio

A 57-year-old Tongan man who says he swam about 27 hours after getting swept out to sea during Saturday's devastating tsunami has been hailed a "real life Aquaman".

The New Zealand Defence Force's Commander of Joint Forces Jim Gilmour speaks about the operational response in Tonga.

The first international relief flight to Tonga since last week's volcanic eruption is due to arrive in the kingdom.

A GNS scientist says it's absolutely possible Tonga's volcanic eruption could have sparked tsunami waves reaching 15-metres high at their peak.

Three people have been confirmed to have died in Tonga following Saturday's volcanic eruption and tsunami, as aerial images show catastrophic damage to the island of Mango in Ha'apai. Audio

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade has confirmed two deaths so far following the volcanic eruption and tsunami in Tonga on Saturday.