BEIJING, March 18 -- China will provide 30 million yuan's (4.87 million U.S. dollars) worth of relief supplies to cyclone-hit Vanuatu, the country's Ministry of Commerce announced on Wednesday.

Supplies including tents, food and power generators will be rushed to the South Pacific island nation of Vanuatu by charter flight, the ministry said in a statement on its website.

It said China will offer further aid according to Vanuatu's needs.

Tropical cyclone Pam raged over Vanuatu last week, claiming at least 24 lives. Vanuatu's government has declared a state of emergency in parts of the country.