THE Daily Echo is appealing to its readers in the wake of the humanitarian disaster in the Philippines.

Typhoon Haiyan is one of the worst natural disasters to hit the country in years and Oxfam is looking to raise £10 million to reach the half a million people affected by it – more than 10,000 are thought to have died.

The Daily Echo is backing a full appeal launched by the Disasters Emergency Committee today.

The DEC will co-ordinate the efforts of the various different aid organisations.

Oxfam’s deputy humanitarian director, Graham Mackay, said: “This is one of the worst natural disasters in years to hit the region and it will be a race against time to get help to the communities that have been devastated.”

The charity’s rapid assessment teams have been deployed to Samar, Leyte and Northern Cabu to provide emergency supplies of water, sanitation and shelter.

An aid shipment from the UK is expected to be dispatched within the next 48 hours.

Mr Mackay added: “Our main concern is getting relief to the worst affected areas. Because communications are down the real extent of this horrific disaster is still not known.”

Current estimates are that 4.46 million people - nearly 1 million families - from 36 provinces have been affected.

The most urgent needs are for food, water and shelter.

Communities also need to have power and communications restored and roads need to be cleared so that aid can get through.

Donations are being accepted at https://donate.oxfam.org.uk/emergency/philippines

Do you know someone affected by the disaster? Contact Steve Smith on 01202 411344.