article_snippet: An RAF plane carrying aid has flown out today to help relief efforts following the devastating tropical cyclone which has wiped out much of the UK .
article_snippet: Hannington Alatoa, head of the Vanuatu Red Cross Society, said flyovers by New Zealand and Australian relief teams showed much of Vanuatu had been 'flattened.'
article_snippet: The RAF package, containing 1,640 shelter kits and 1,900 solar lanterns with phone chargers, comes after the UK Government announced a £2m donation towards UN humanitarian aid efforts.
article_snippet: A C-17 transport plane flew out from RAF Brize Norton this morning bound for the Royal Australian Air Force base at Amberley, Australia, before linking up with international agencies.
article_snippet: A humanitarian expert from the Department for International Development has also been deployed to offer advice and assistance on field assessments, while the RAF crew will carry out support flights over several days.
article_snippet: Our emergency shelter kits and solar lanterns will help meet people's basic needs and Britain stands ready to assist further.'
article_snippet: Personnel from the Australian Defence Force and Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade walk towards a Royal Australian Air Force C-130J Hercules aircraft at RAAF Amberley before flying to Port Vila .
article_snippet: A C-17 Globemaster leaves RAAF Base Amberley bound for Vanuatu to assist in disaster relief efforts .
highlights_snippet: Flyovers by relief teams showed much of the UK had been 'flattened'
  An RAF plane carrying aid has flown out from the UK to help relief efforts .