Aust defence starts Tanna aid mission

Australian defence personnel are starting the job of delivering aid and cleaning up the island of Tanna, which was hard-hit when Cyclone Pam struck Vanuatu.

Navy landing ship HMAS Tobruk arrived off Tanna on Wednesday, with engineers surveying beaches where vehicles and equipment can be landed.

Australian helicopters have also started delivering supplies to the islands of Erromango and Anatom.

Cyclone Pam smashed Vanuatu on March 13, killing 16 people and inflicting widespread destruction.

Australia's aid effort to Vanuatu is being conducted by a 500-member defence taskforce.

Its commander, Captain Jay Bannister, said they had already made a significant contribution.

"Despite the challenges involved in sustained natural disaster response, I am extremely proud of the way the men and women of the ADF have responded to help one of our closest neighbours and dearest friends," he said in a statement.

"We will continue to work tirelessly with our French and New Zealand partners to provide aid and recovery response to those most in need."

So far, the Australian Defence Force has delivered more than 145 pallets of cargo to Vanuatu.

Two army Black Hawk helicopters and a RAAF King Air are providing tactical transport of personnel and stores to outlying areas from the capital, Port Vila.

A RAAF C-17A Globemaster and C-130J Hercules transport aircraft are continuing to transport supplies between Australia and Vanuatu.