Super Typhoon Haiyan: DEC Philippines Appeal raises £13m in one day

In just 24 hours, the DEC Philippines Typhoon Appeal has raised £13 million as Britons band together to help the disaster-ravaged country.

The funds, made up of online, text and phone donations, will go directly to help more than 11 million people affected by Typhoon Haiyan, the Disasters Emergency Committee has said.

Hundreds of thousands of people have had their homes damaged or destroyed and are in desperate need of food, water and shelter.

DEC chief executive Saleh Saeed said the initial public response had been overwhelming.

"People have given so generously in such a short space of time," he said.

"They have obviously been moved by the heartbreaking stories coming out of the Philippines of those struggling to survive."

Mr Saeed said much of the donated money will go towards paying for work by emergency teams on the ground to provide basic essentials.

"It's clear that people are getting desperate," he said.

"It's vital that we continue to respond to their needs, and that the UK public continues to give."

The £13 million total does not include the Government's pledge to match donations pound for pound up to £5 million, he said.

Damage to transport links and heavy rain have affected aid distribution efforts, but vital aid is beginning to get through as relief operations are stepped up.

The push to provide supplies comes as desperate survivors take to looting in their search for food.

The DEC said the Philippines Typhoon appeal response was unprecedented. The organisation said £1.5 million was raised in the first 15 hours via online donations alone.

The money raised so far exceeds that donated in the first 24 hours of the east Africa crisis, Haiti earthquake and Pakistan floods appeals, the DEC said.

Donations can be made at www.dec.org.uk, on 0370 60 60 900, over the counter at any high street bank or post office or via cheque. Donations of £5 can also be made by texting "SUPPORT" to 70000.

PA