TODAY the Daily Echo is launching an appeal to help those affected by the devastating Philippines typhoon.

We are joining forces with the Disasters Emergency Committee, which encompasses all of the UK major aid agencies, and has launched an urgent appeal for help.

The 145mph Typhoon Haiyan – said to be the strongest ever to make landfall – has rendered roads impass-able and air-ports out of action, which is severely hamp-ering relief eff-orts, the DEC said.

It is thought that at least 10,000 people have died in Tacloban alone.

DEC chief executive Saleh Saeed said: “The destruction in Tacloban city, on the east coast, is said to be reminiscent of the Boxing Day Tsunami. There is currently no food, water or electricity. We can only imagine how much worse the situation will be for families living in towns and remote villages.

“DEC members are doing all they can to get aid through, but they need a huge injection of funds in order to do so.”

The office covering Bournemouth and Poole of international charity CAFOD has also launched an urgent appeal for support for communities in the Philippines.

The aid agency is asking its supporters in Dorset to help them meet the urgent needs of hundreds of thousands of Filipinos.

Simon Giarchi, CAFOD manager for Bournemouth and Poole, said: “The best way people can help is supporting the local agencies, who are there in place on the ground ready to get relief to those in need.

“People in Bournemouth and Poole always respond generously to such tragic events and we’re grateful for any support they can give.”

Daily Echo editor Toby Granville urged people to donate to the appeal and said: “Any amount of money you can spare for this appeal can make the real difference to these desperate people in the Philippines, who are in a life or death situation.”

How you can donate

TO make a donation, you can send a cheque made payable to ‘DEC Philippines Typhoon Appeal’ to the Daily Echo offices at Richmond Hill, Bournemouth, BH2 6HH or the Dolphin Centre, Poole, BH15 1SZ.

You can also visit http://www.dec.org.uk, call the 24 hour hotline on 0370 60 60 900, donate over the counter at any high street bank or post office or send a cheque.

You can also donate £5 by texting SUPPORT to 70000.

What your money will buy:

  • £25 Water purification tablets for 10 families for a month.
  • £50 Feed a family for two weeks.
  • £100 Emergency shelter and bedding for one family.