Government assistance

More than half of the package is in the form of government development loans totalling $US5 million.

Businesses in the agriculture, fisheries, and tourism sectors have been offered up $US22,230 per annum whilst retail and wholesalers have been offered up to $US88,900 per annum.

Tonga Chamber of Commerce President Sam Vea said that many businesses wanted stronger assistance from the government such as a cash injection, subsidies on bank loans, as well as a reduction in utility costs.

The opposition party said this would enable people to get immediate government assistance.

The NFP said Rakiraki, parts of Qamea which has been hit by landslides, and other areas should be declared disaster zones.

The party said there should be rehabilitation packages for crop and house damage and it's called for army engineers to clean up, distribute rations and repair badly damaged infrastructure.

It said the town and district of Ra has suffered millions of dollars worth of damage.