Typhoon death toll feared to reach 7000
Tacloban: The number of people dead or missing after one of the world’s strongest typhoons struck the Philippines climbed to 7,000 on Saturday, as the United Nations warned much more needed to be done to help desperate survivors.
The typhoon has triggered a giant, international aid effort, with dozens of countries and relief organizations rushing to deliver food, water and health services to more than four million people who lost their homes.
However, UN humanitarian chief Valerie Amos, after visiting the disaster zones, warned the world was still not responding fast enough.
“Much more needs to be done. Food, clean water and shelter remain the top priorities,” Amos said as a UN appeal for funds was raised from USD 301 million to USD 348 million.
Amos said huge numbers of people were still exposed to bad weather in the nine provinces ravaged by the storm, as she warned particularly of the dangers for babies, children and mothers.
“I am very concerned that some 1.5 million children are at risk of acute malnutrition and close to 800,000 pregnant and nursing mothers need nutritional help,” Amos told a news conference at UN headquarters.
