Briefing: Typhoon relief efforts stepped up

It’s now just over two weeks since Typhoon Haiyan struck the Philippines. But the true extent of the devastation wreaked by the storm is only just beginning to emerge. It has now been confirmed that Haiyan is the deadliest natural disaster in the country’s history. Currently a relief operation of unprecedented proportions is underway by international aid agencies as well as local authorities. Simon Jones provides an update.

What is the latest death toll?

The latest figures suggest that more than 5,000 were killed when the devastating typhoon hit the country. The country’s National Disaster Agency says that 5,209 people are now known to have lost their lives, with many more still missing.

The same agency has also reported that 23,501 were injured due to the epic storm.

How many people are still missing?

More than 1,600 people are still missing across the affected region.

How many people have lost their home?

Local aid workers say that more than four million people were displaced by the storm while over a million homes were damaged.

What is going on in the Philippines at the moment?

A huge humanitarian relief effort is under way and has seen vast amounts of food aid, blankets, clothes water purification kits and tents air lifted into the affected areas. 

A mass immunization programme has also been rolled out which will see about 33,000 children vaccinated against polio and measles, as families are left homeless and without sanitation.

What extra help is being sent?

Royal Navy aircraft carrier HMS Illustrious has just arrived in Philippines to help the relief effort. 

On board the ship is 500 tonnes of aid including 100 tonnes of rice, plastic sheeting and water containers. 

Is the area over the worst?

A UN Disaster Relief Agency report released earlier this week said that millions of typhoon-affected people in central Philippines still “urgently require” food, water and shelter. 

“Life-saving assistance is still urgently required, particularly food, water and shelter,” the Manila branch of the U.N. Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs said.

“Over 3 million food rations have been distributed to date, however recovery of livelihoods in the fishing and farming industries is a key priority as many lack cash to buy food and rebuild their houses,” it said.

How much money has been raised worldwide to help the relief effort?

As of Sunday, a total of $317 million has been contributed to the Typhoon Haiyan response, including from U.N. member-states, multilateral institutions, private companies and individuals.

How much money has been raised in Bermuda?

The Association of Filipinos has so far raised $31,000 to help with relief efforts in the aftermath of Typhoon Haiyan.

Sources: BBC, CNN, Wall Street Journal