Anglican Aid has opened an appeal to aid the nation of Vanuatu in the wake of the worst cyclone in memory.

Reports emerging from the Island say Cyclone Pam, which struck on the weekend of the 14th and 15th of March, left unprecedented devestation.

Vanuatu's president Baldwin Lonsdale was in tears as he described the effects of the 'monster' storm.

"As a nation, as the head of the nation, my heart is for the people," Mr Lonsdale said. "After all the developments that has taken place, all this has been wiped out. So it means that we will have to start anew again".

The President said food supply will be an issue in future, "But I really request for humanitarian needs and assistance at this stage, tarps, container, water containers, medical kits, carrying tools, anything to do with construction tools, all this are very important right now."

 Partnering with the Anglican Church of Vanuatu, the Archbishop of Sydney's Anglican Aid is appealing for donations to help with the relief, rehabilitation and development of Vanuatu. 

"Sydney Anglican ministers Rev. Francis Chalwell from Surry Hills and Rev. Barrie Macalister from Wilberforce have had previous experience in Vanuatu through teaching the Moore College correspondence course. This has strengthened the relationship of the Sydney Diocese with that of the Anglican Church of Vanuatu. Please join with us in prayer and, if able, financial support to enable the Anglican Church of Vanuatu to share Christ's love with the people of Vanuatu at this extremely devastating and troubling time." said a statement on the Anglican Aid website.

"Under the leadership of Bishop James Ligo, the Anglican Diocese of Vanuatu provides both spiritual and material support to the people of Vanuatu. They have a proven capacity to deliver development programs across the nation. This is because, by God's grace, the Anglican Diocese of Vanuatu enjoys a grass roots presence across the 82 islands of Vanuatu. There is hardly a village without a church and a Mothers Union. They will distribute aid to those who need it most. This will give communities and individuals the capacity to recover and to get on their feet again.' the statement said.

The Presbyterian Church also has a strong presence on the islands, and is mobilising to help.

“The Presbyterian Church of Australia has a unique relationship with the Church in Vanuatu, we have a long history of Ni Vanuatuan students training for ministry in Australia, and have had a strong connection with the Bible Training College in Talua." said David Cook, Moderator General of the Presbyterian Church of Australia. "Please pray for Vanuatu, pray for relief to be provided, pray that there will be selfless rescue and generous love shown both from those on the ground in Vanuatu and neighbouring nations…”

Feature photo: Sattelite map as Cyclone Pam approaches (Harrison Tran)