Transcript
The slow moving cyclone has kept aid agencies and relief efforts on standby as it's been too dangerous to get to affected areas in the north and west.
UNICEF spokesperson Lachlan Forsyth says there are reports of bad damage to buildings and homes, as well as water and sanitation.
He says UNICEF is in touch with people in evacuation centres.
"Like I say, in some of those northern islands, some have taken shelter in those evacuation centres and as I say some 170 or 180 are sheltering in a cave. And otherwise they are sheltering in buildings like police stations and in schools and even some of the sturdier buildings in those islands."
A spokesperson for the Red Cross, Corrine Ambler says they have 300 volunteers on standby waiting for the weather to clear.
She says they know what to do, as they had a similar response following Cyclone Pam two years ago.
"The Red Cross volunteers can't get up there to respond to help these people. The government has been unable to do assessments so far, both aerial assessments and ground assessments, because the weather is so bad and the sea is so rough that it just not safe for anyone to be going up to that area, so it is quite frustrating."
Lisa Faerua of Vanuatu Oxfam says they are taking a more cautious approach to aid and assistance.
She says they are waiting on government officials for directions and to let them know what people need the most once the situation on the ground has been assessed.
"Those islands are very remote and transportation wise its difficult. Communication as well is very difficult as it is so remote and hard to get to other than by boat or ship and as far as infrastructure wise, well it is really difficult."
World Vision is appealing to New Zealanders to consider donating cash rather than goods for people who have been badly affected by Cyclone Donna.
Vanuatu country director, Michael Wolfe, says when disaster strikes, people always want to do something to help out, which is really good.
But he says that disaster officials have already specifically asked all aid agencies money's best.
"The biggest thing that can be done is for agencies to provide financial support. At this point the best way that ordinary people from New Zealand can help or who want to generously stand by their Pacific neighbours, they can make a monetary donation to a reputable agency. "
Communication to Vanuatu's northern group of islands remains patchy in parts due to the cyclone sweeping through and damaging infrastructure.
Vanuatu's National Disaster Management Office (NDMO) is still trying to assess the extend of the cyclone damage so far, but some remote parts of the northern provinces have been non contactable.
NDMO director, Shadrack Welegtabit, says an assessment team is ready to visit as soon as the weather clears
The cyclone is moving down the Vanuatu coast, heading towards New Caledonia.
