THE UK’s first aid flights touched down in the typhoon-hit Philippines yesterday as the Daily Echo’s appeal for help gathers pace.

As reported yesterday, the Echo, in association with the Disasters Emergency Comm-ittee, has launched an appeal for people to give what they can to help the huge effort on the ground.

Hundreds of thousands of people have been left in desperate need of food, water, shelter and medical supplies following the 145mph Typhoon Haiyan.

The UK government has agreed with the DEC that the first £5million donated by members of the public to its appeal will be matched.

Yesterday, 24 hours after it was launched, the DEC’s appeal had reached £13million.

The government had already committed £10million in aid, so the additional £5million commitment will increase West-minster’s support to £15million in total.

A chartered Boeing 777 carrying 8,836 shelter kits from UK stores in Dubai – the first of several UK-funded flights scheduled for the coming days – landed in the city of Cebu yesterday.

Also on the way are forklift trucks, cutting equipment, 4x4s and other kit to help clear and re-open runways and roads.

It will enable the delivery to 300,000 people of life-saving supplies including blankets, water purification tablets, buckets, soap and sanitary items to prevent the spread of disease.

A team of British medical experts, a Royal Navy warship and an RAF transport aircraft are also heading to the stricken nation.

The Salvation Army UK and Ireland and Save the Children are among the organisations helping.

Lynette Lim, of Save the Children, said: “In Tacloban everything is flattened. Bodies litter the street, many, many of which are children. From what I saw, two out of every five bodies was that of a child. Children are particularly vulnerable in disasters.”

International charity CAFOD has also launched an urgent appeal.

As reported yesterday, the aid agency is asking its supporters in Dorset to help.

Simon Giarchi, CAFOD manager for Bournemouth and Poole, said: “People in Bourne-mouth and Poole always respond generously to such tragic events and we’re grateful for any support they can give.”

How to 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 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 in a cheque.

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

What your money buys:

* £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.