Naval cadets from Dartmouth have been talking about the devastation they found in the Philippines as they arrived as part of a Royal Navy humanitarian aid effort.

A group of 36 cadets from the college are part of the Royal Navy's HMS Illustrious crew which were tasked to typhoon-hit islands as soon as the scale of the disaster became clear.

They have been in the front line of the massive international effort ever since – sorting out which areas are in most need and then helping to distribute vital aid.

Officer Cadet Matt Wells is part of the BRNC team still helping with the aid effort.

The 24-year-old said: 'I went ashore with a recovery team to Calagnaan Island to clear roads and paths.

'The typhoon had uprooted most of the trees and defoliated the ones that were left standing. It was absolutely devastating.

'The locals are very tough and resourceful though and had done what they could but the scale of the task was just too great for them.

'They were really glad to see us and when we had finished a young mum wrote a really lovely thank you letter. It was really humbling.

'It was much worse that I had expected. There was simply nothing left of some of the houses. It's going to take them years to fully recover.

'We left tools and building supplies so that they can carry on rebuilding. I hope we have at least helped them on their way. This is exactly why I joined the Royal Navy.'

David Rigby, a 25-year-old BRNC cadet who ended up on Sicogon Island, said: 'The village I was in was a scene of utter devastation. One or two of the more substantial buildings were just about intact, but that was all. They had no shelter from the midday sun and the torrential rain.

'It should have been miserable, but they seemed to be taking everything in their stride. The people really are very self-sufficient. We gave them some tarpaulins to build shelters. I turned my back briefly and literally within five minutes they had erected a frame and secured the tarpaulin to make a very tidy tent. I have absolutely no idea how they managed to do it so quickly.

'I have learnt a lot about human nature in a very short time, especially the need to remain optimistic in the face of adversity. I'll remember this experience for the rest of my life.'

HMS Illustrious has been in the area since November 25, distributing around 500 tonnes of aid under the direction of the Department for International Development – which includes 12,500 blankets, 20,000 candles, 30,000 rice bags, 9,800 tins of sardines, 8,100 tins of vegetables, 17,000 shelter kits, 1,000 jerry cans and 1,900 water carriers.

Officer Cadet Nicky Fradley, aged 23, was also deployed to Calagnaan Island.

She said: 'I didn't expect to see any concrete buildings but there were a couple. The church was still standing even though everything else around it had been blown down.

'When we arrived, the locals had already tidied up as best they could. Around 70 per cent of the fishing boats were destroyed. They have just enough boats and nets left to fish for their own survival but nothing to sell on to buy new nets.'

The contingent of cadets are due to return to Dartmouth at the end of this month to take part in their passing out parade.