UPDATED 2:15pm

Vanuatu seems to have dodged a bullet when it comes to Cyclone Donna but the extent of damage in the north is still unclear.

The country's National Disaster Management Office has held a meeting to discuss Donna's track, and assess the damage so far.

UNICEF spokesman Andrew Parker says there are anecdotal reports of damage to some schools and houses but the cyclone didn't touch land in many areas.

He said there are no reports of injuries or deaths.

Mr Parker also said the situation in the Torres Islands is still unknown, but believed the rest of Vanuatu to be relatively unscathed.

Aid agencies were earlier hoping that Cyclone Donna wouldn't leave Vanuatu as devastated as Cyclone Pam did two years ago.

Donna downed houses, churches, and trees in northern parts of the country, with winds gusting up to 205km/h this morning. 

The cyclone moved over central parts of Vanuatu, bringing further destructive winds and likely coastal flooding, but is forecast to move away this afternoon.

World Vision Vanuatu Country Director Mike Wolfe says since Cyclone Pam they have worked with communities on "how they're going to be prepared for disaster, and what they're going to do in times of disaster."

"Once World Vision staff work with communities on disaster plans, those communities implement their plans when disaster hits."

Mr Wolfe says volunteers are in place to help treat and provide for people if the worst happens.

"We're really concerned about children and families being more vulnerable due to impacts to drinking water and shelter," he said.

A spokesman from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs said 116 New Zealanders are registered as being on the island. An advisory has been issued to them to monitor weather reports and to follow advice from authorities at all times, including evacuation orders, and to seek suitable shelter.