One of the Pacific Ocean's most powerful storms ever has devastated the island nation of Vanuatu, tearing off roofs, uprooting trees and killing at least eight people with the toll set to rise, aid officials said.
The United Nations was preparing a major relief operation and Australia said it was ready to offer its neighbour whatever help it could.
Cyclone Pam hits island nation of Vanuatu
Unconfirmed reports said the number of dead could run into dozens but aid workers said it would be days or weeks before the full impact was known.
Winds of up to 340km/h ripped metal roofs off houses and downed trees as relief agencies braced for a major rescue operation and unconfirmed reports said dozens had died.
Witnesses described sea surges of up to eight metres and flooding throughout the capital Port Vila after Category 5 Cyclone Pam hit the country.
Communications with the outside world were largely knocked out.
Aid officials said the storm may be unprecedented in the island's history and could be one of the worst natural disasters the Pacific region has ever seen, hitting Papua New Guinea and the Solomon Islands before reaching Vanuatu late on Friday.
Satellite photos showed the storm covering virtually the entire archipelago.
Outlying islands may take weeks to reach, aid officials said, while a lack of clean water and widespread crop damage meant there was a real risk of hunger and disease.
Irish aid agencies are among many throughout the world participating in the relief operation for the people of Vanuatu.
Oxfam Ireland Chief Executive Jim Clarken is due to travel to Vanuatu next week to visit programmes designed to help communities reduce their risk of disaster.
Mr Clarken said it was becoming increasingly clear that aid agencies were dealing with the worst case scenario in Vanuatu.
Trocaire's Executive Director Éamonn Meehan said its partners were working in the affected areas to get aid to people who have lost their homes.
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