United Nations (UN) Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon on Sunday expressed his extreme concerns over the damage caused by Typhoon Haiyan, which has affected at least 10 million people in the Philippines.
Haiyan, one of the largest storms to ever make landfall, hit the central Filipino provinces of Samar and Leyte early Friday, killing an estimated 10,000 people in Leyte province alone.
The death toll could rise drastically as remote areas are reached.
Ban urged the international community to continue showing their solidarity with the people of the Philippines, the statement issued by the UN said.
"UN agencies are working closely with the government of the Philippines to reach those affected by super typhoon Haiyan, as the number of reported casualties continues to rise and access remains a challenge in many areas," the statement said.
Stating that the Secretary-General thanked UN member states for their prompt response, including bilateral funds, relief teams and civil-military support, the statement said, "With roads, airports and bridges destroyed or blocked with debris, agencies have begun airlifting food, health, shelter, medical and other life-saving supplies and have deployed specialist teams and vital logistics support."
Food, medical kits, logistics and communications equipment, and thousands of tarpaulins are being flown to typhoon-hit areas.
Meanwhile, the UN Children's Fund (UNICEF) indicated that up to 4 million children could be affected by the typhoon.
“We are rushing to get critical supplies to children who are bearing the brunt of this crisis,” said UNICEF Philippines Representative Tomoo Hozumi.
“Reaching the worst affected areas is very difficult, with limited access due to the damage caused by the typhoon to infrastructure and communications. But we are working around the clock to find ways to get these supplies to children as quickly as conditions allow," he added.
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