Typhoon Haiyan: How to help those affected

Haiyan on its way to Vietnam overnight after ravaging through the Philippines.

Aid on way for typhoon disaster victims

Governments and agencies are mounting a major relief effort to help victims of the Philippines typhoon. Charities working to provide relief in the Philippines include:

United Nations World Food Programme

WFP said it has allocated US$2 million for the disaster response and officials joined a UN-Government assessment mission to survey damage in Leyte and Samar provinces. WFP said it will send more than 40 tonnes of high-energy biscuits and work with the Philippines Government to help with logistics and emergency communications systems. It asks for donations at www.wfpusa.org or by texting the word AID to 27722 to instantly donate US$10.

Unicef

Unicef said that its staff in the Philippines is being repositioned to help in relief efforts and that 66 tonnes of emergency supplies are being sent from Copenhagen. An airlift set to arrive tomorrow will include water purification systems, storage equipment and sanitation supplies. New Zealanders can make donations to Unicef here.

Governments

New Zealand has made an initial contribution of $150,000 to the Red Cross to support immediate relief efforts. The US Pacific Command is deploying ships and aircraft to support search-and-rescue operations and airlift emergency supplies. The Australian Government has pledged nearly A$400,000 worth of emergency aid and says it stands ready to do more.

Red Cross

The Philippines Red Cross and its partners were preparing for a major relief effort "because of the magnitude of the disaster", said the agency's chairman, Richard Gordon. People can donate here.

Oxfam

Oxfam has dispatched a team of experts on the ground to assess the water, public health and sanitation conditions in Bohol today and another batch of teams will go to Northern Cebu, Northern and Eastern Samar and Leyte. People can donate to Oxfam's Disaster Response Fund here.

World Vision

World Vision said it is putting together resources to assist 1.2 million people, including food, hygiene kits, emergency shelter and protection. Donate to the Asia Pacific Emergency Fund here.