Vanuatu workers touched by aid

RSE workers from Vanuatu choose donated items as part of the Cyclone Pam relief effort at Port Ahuriri School, Napier, last night. Photo / Warren Buckland

Hundreds of RSE seasonal workers from Vanuatu have received a welcome boost from Hawke's Bay residents in the wake of tropical cyclone Pam.

JB Organics organic manager Heidi Stiefel said there were about 800 people from Vanuatu working in Hawke's Bay this season.

About 350 of these workers had visited Port Ahuriri School to pick up items donated by Hawke's Bay families after the cyclone devastated the island nation. There were 150 workers at the school last night, picking up essential items such as towels, bedding and clothing.

"They've lost all their goods, all their houses are no longer there, so they're really appreciative of this offer."

Vanuatu Cyclone Pam Appeal Hawke's Bay co-ordinator Joylene Whibley said the generosity of Hawke's Bay residents had left the RSE workers amazed.

"They were absolutely in awe of how much had been given. They were smiling and laughing for the first time in two weeks."

The relief appeal had negotiated for each worker to be allowed an extra 7kg of baggage when they travelled home, and five containers full of goods would also leave Hawke's Bay shores bound for Vanuatu in the next two weeks.