An Australian air force plane is due to fly over two remote Polynesian isles in a bid to determine the fate of around 3,000 people who have been cut off since being hit by one of the Pacific's worst ever cyclones.
Radio Australia reported today that the Australian Government would provide the plane, which will fly over the islands early tomorrow morning, Australian time.
It is also providing the fuel for a Solomon Islands patrol boat that will sail for the islands with relief supplies.
Cyclone Zoe, which topped the Southern Hemisphere classification for storm strength, hit the remote Temotu Province of the Solomons late on Saturday night, particularly the volcanic island of Tikopia. Another populated island, Anuta, was also hit.
Tikopia has been badly affected by storms in the past. In 1992, Cyclone Tia wiped out most of the housing and food crops while in 1956 a storm killed 200 people.
Solomons Catholic Archbishop Adrian Smith said he was worried and wanted help sent quickly but added he also knew from the island that the people knew what to do.
"Their whole lifestyle is of a people who live with their environment and very close to nature and they know what to do," the Irishman said.
AFP