A team of 20 medical staff from the Northern Territory and Victoria have left Darwin bound for cyclone-hit Vanuatu.
The group, known as Team Alpha, includes doctors, nurses, paramedics, logisticians and 15 tonnes of supplies to help local doctors care for survivors of Cyclone Pam.
At least 11 people died in Vanuatu when the cyclone struck on Friday and the impoverished country has warned of imminent food shortages.
The only hospital in the Pacific nation was damaged by the cyclone and only part of it is operating, with people reportedly sleeping between surgical beds.
The National Critical Care and Trauma Response team is expected to land in Vanuatu’s capital Port Vila on Wednesday afternoon (local time).
Acting head of the centre Nicholas Coatsworth said the medics are well equipped with ward capacity for up to 80 patients.
“There’s a resuscitation room, there’s an emergency room, there’s primary care facilities,” Dr Coatsworth said.
“There’s all the things the Vanuatu government have asked of us and that we can provide to help rebuild that health system.”
NT Health Minister John Elferink on Tuesday said some government employees were also on standby to travel to Vanuatu if needed.
“Almost a month ago, the Northern Territory faced its own tropical cyclone, Cyclone Lam,” Mr Elferink said.
“While recovery efforts continue in the Territory’s Top End, we are taking the additional task of providing assistance to our South Pacific neighbours in our stride,” he said.