Two American survivors of the White Island eruption are 'making amazing progress' as they recover from their injuries.
Rick Reed and Ivy Kohn Reed were among those injured when Whakaari erupted in December.
Rick suffered burns to 30 percent of his body, including on his hands, legs and face, while Ivy had burns to 20 percent of her body, including on her right leg, hands and face.
The pair have been recovering in hospital since the tragedy, and could soon be well enough to return home to the United States, according to Ivy's brother, Barry Kohn.
Writing on a GoFundMe page pet up for the pair, Kohn gave an update on their condition on Friday.
"[On] Monday doctors examined the regrafts on [Rick's] ankles that had him on bed rest for 10 days," Kohn wrote.
"The results were all good and he has begun physical therapy to start walking again! Within three days they have him standing and walking (slowly) on his own."
He added that Ivy "continues to progress with her rehabilitation."
"She is working daily with her physical and occupational therapists."
The GoFundMe page has raised more than $38,000 so far.
Writing on the page last week, Kohn said it was "both heartbreaking and encouraging" to see the pair battle to get better.
"I was taken aback when I first saw them with my own eyes, as no one is accustomed to seeing their loved ones laid up and recovering from volcanic burns."
But in Friday's update, Kohn said the pair might soon be well enough to head back to the United States.
"If all continues to go well, there is a good chance they will be able to fly home sometime next week!" he said.
"Obviously Ivy and Rick are making amazing progress, but they are still a long way from being able to rejoin their 'normal' lives. In fact, they really won't but rather will each have to establish a new normal."
Following the tragedy, Kohn told US media that the couple had already visited the crater of the volcano and were walking away when it erupted - "that probably saved their lives", he said.
Twenty people died in the eruption.
