Updated 1.09PM: Some survival stories are emerging of people in Vanuatu who endured the onslaught of Cyclone Pam.

Assistant Principal of Port Villa International School Anne Phillips-Vira says the 240 kilometre winds were terrifying.

"There are many who had their houses completely flooded who were huddled in one corner of a room. One family, 13 of them in a small van really and that was the only place they had to go. Their house was wrecked."

PHOTOS: Devastation in Vanuatu from Cyclone Pam

MORE: Chathams prepare for stormy onslaught

Red Cross spokeswoman Hanna Buttler says there are some remarkable stories of people surviving the wrath of Cyclone Pam in Vanuatu.

She says one man and about 30 family members and neighbours cowered in a concrete building while the cyclone hit.

"He said the wind was screaming outside, and the children were screaming inside. He said that they were just too young to understand what was going on, and he still seemed quite shocked."

The death toll from Cyclone Pam has risen to 24.

The UN's Office for the Co-ordination of Humanitarian Affairs says there are 11 dead from Tafea, eight from Efate and five from Tanna.

Vanuatu's shocked president is describing the cyclone that hammered the tiny South Pacific archipelago as a "monster".

Baldwin Lonsdale adds climate change is partly to blame for the devastation.

People in Vanuatu are trying to bring back some semblance of normality in their lives.

Red Cross spokeswoman Hanna Buttler says there's enormous destruction, but people are getting on with cleaning up.

"Quite remarkable. There's rubbish piled high on both sides of the road, trees have been chopped back if they've fallen. But they are resilient people who have been dealt an awful catastrophe, and they're cleaning up and getting on with it."

Outer Islands

New Zealand defence force personnel are trying to reach the outer islands of Vanuatu, which are suspected to have suffered the worst damage.

Squadron leader Steve Thornley says they've flown over the island of Tanna.

"Around Tanna it is clear that buildings have been destroyed in total in some areas. Some are without roofs and some of the stronger buildings still look to be sound, however it is hard to tell."

Spark is helping restore communications on Vanuatu - especially to the outer islands.

Communications are down and its still unclear what's happened.

Spark spokesman Paul Quickenden says they're trying to get a satellite network up and running fairly quickly.

He says how big a job it is, will depend on what's going on on the islands and that's not known at the moment.

Mr Quickenden says the first job is to re-establish communication hubs.

He says Spark isn't worried about the cost at the moment.

AID

Another Air Force plane has taken off, bound for Vanuatu.

It's carrying vital aid supplies for the stricken nation.

A Hercules will head there later today.

Vanuatu's President Baldwin Lonsdale's made a plea to the world for humanitarian aid.

"Regarding houses that have been destroyed, completely wiped out. Losing our homes. We need tarpaulins, medical kits, other supplies."

Baldwin Lonsdale says New Zealand, Australian and French government workers are already on the ground starting on clearing and repairs.

Aid agencies say conditions in cyclone-ravaged Vanuatu are among the most challenging they've ever faced, with fears of disease rife.

More aid looks likely from our Government for storm-ravaged Vanuatu.

Our Government's allocated two and a half million dollars so far, but the Prime Minister signals more funding will be made available.

"We're very much in the emergency phase at the moment, that'll carry on for weeks, maybe months, and beyond that there will be a more permanent solution for rebuilding."

A Facebook page - Christchurch Vanuatu Cyclone Relief Fund - has been set up for those wanting to send money to the Vanuatu National Disaster Management Office.

CPIT student Cainton Milroy says many of them still haven't heard from their families and they had to do something.

"As someone from Vanuatu living abroad, and seeing all those pictures, we couldn't just wait for things to happen. We couldn't just sit back and wait for those big organisations to bring relief to the people of Vanuatu."

Auckland's Vanuatu community is meeting tonight to discuss their response to Cyclone Pam.

It's being hosted by the Consul General of Vanuatu, McKenzie Kalotiti, with the support of the Red Cross.

New Zealanders being flown back from Vanuatu by the NZ Defence Force. (Supplied - NZDF)

Kiwis return

Nearly 90 Kiwis have been brought home from cyclone-devastated Vanuatu.

Two Hercules planes arrived back in New Zealand last night carrying 89 passengers.

Squadron leader Matt Ferris says priority has been given to those with medical conditions, the elderly and families with young children.

Two more Air Force planes will arrive in Vanuatu today with vital supplies.