Vanuatuan workers in Central Otago and their employers are in a holding pattern following Cyclone Pam, as they wait for communications to be restored, public flights to the country to resume and basic infrastructure to come back online.
Until then, they cannot contact their families or go home to help.
However, the reaction of community groups, businesses and individuals to a request for support has been ''humbling''.
Seasonal Solutions chief executive Greg Watson said money had begun to flow into a Vanuatuan support fund and the response was incredible.
''It's quite humbling to experience how people come out together and help the men out.''
He did not want to give the amount raised so far, as it was ''early days yet''.
Other groups, such as Rotary, had started their own collections.
''It's having a snowball effect around the community.''
A decision as to how the money would be used was yet to be made, but it was likely Vanuatuan workers would be involved.
For now, the most important thing for the 440 workers in the region was getting information about their families and homes.
''Some [workers] have had contact, but it's very sporadic ... and only because their relatives happened to be on the main islands.''
Seasonal Solutions is an orchardist and viticulturist-owned co-operative which provided members with workers from the Pacific Islands under the Recognised Seasonal Employer scheme.
Mr Watson said it was too early to say if the cyclone would affect the number of Vanuatuan workers returning to New Zealand next summer.
''[But] one message I got from Vanuatu is the guys who are back home at the moment are more determined than ever to get here and work ...because money is more important than ever.''
