Vanuatu aid welcome but not enough: Greens

The Australian Greens say aid for Vanuatu is essential but not enough while Australia is still contributing to global warming.

Greens Leader Christine Milne has welcomed the government's speedy response in committing $5 million in aid and medical personnel to Vanuatu after the devastation inflicted by Cyclone Pam.

"Aid is essential but not enough," Senator Milne said in a statement.

She said Australia will be seen as a hypocrite as long as it continues to export coal and fails to reduce pollution.

"We are directly contributing to the more severe extreme weather that threatens to wipe our island neighbours off the map," she said.

"These disasters will continue to get worse. More and more people will die if we fail to reduce the pollution that is causing global warming."