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Super Typhoon Haiyan Leaves 1,200 Feared Dead

The Devastation Of Typhoon Haiyan (PICTURES)
The Huffington Post UK
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The body count from the havoc wrought by typhoon Haiyan could be ten times as many as first feared, with up to 1,200 people lost in the storm.

The Red Cross said it feared 1,000 had been killed in the central city of Tacloban and 200 in Samar province.

Gwendolyn Pang, secretary general of the Philippine Red Cross, told Reuters: "An estimated more than 1,000 bodies were seen floating in Tacloban as reported by our Red Cross teams.

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Residents return to their houses after leaving an evacuation site in the aftermath of Super Typhoon Haiyan in Tacloban

"In Samar, about 200 deaths. Validation is ongoing."

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Sebastian Rhodes Stampa, head of the UN disaster ssessment co-ordination team sent to assess the devastation compared scenes of death and destruction to the Indian Ocean tsunami.

"This is destruction on a massive scale. There are cars thrown like tumbleweed and the streets are strewn with debris," he told reporters.

Super Typhoon Haiyan
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The airport devastated by powerful Typhoon Haiyan that slammed into Tacloban city, Leyte province, Philippines is seen on Saturday, Nov. 9, 2013. The central Philippine city of Tacloban was in ruins Saturday, a day after being ravaged by one of the strongest typhoons on record, as horrified residents spoke of storm surges as high as trees and authorities said they were expecting a "very high number of fatalities." (AP Photo/Aaron Favila) (credit:AP)
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A resident walks by toppled trees and electric posts after powerful Typhoon Haiyan slammed into Tacloban city, Leyte province, central Philippines on Saturday, Nov. 9, 2013. The central Philippine city of Tacloban was in ruins Saturday, a day after being ravaged by one of the strongest typhoons on record, as horrified residents spoke of storm surges as high as trees and authorities said they were expecting a "very high number of fatalities." (AP Photo/Aaron Favila) (credit:AP)
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Residents walk by debris after powerful Typhoon Haiyan slammed into Tacloban city, Leyte province, central Philippines on Saturday, Nov. 9, 2013. The central Philippine city of Tacloban was in ruins Saturday, a day after being ravaged by one of the strongest typhoons on record, as horrified residents spoke of storm surges as high as trees and authorities said they were expecting a "very high number of fatalities." (AP Photo/Aaron Favila) (credit:AP)
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Workers assess the damage of Tacloban Airport following a powerful typhoon that hit Tacloban city, in Leyte province, central Philippines Saturday, Nov. 9, 2013. The central Philippine city of Tacloban was in ruins Saturday, a day after being ravaged by Typhoon Haiyan, one of the strongest typhoons on record, as horrified residents spoke of storm surges as high as trees and authorities said they were expecting a "very high number of fatalities." (AP Photo/Bullit Marquez) (credit:AP)
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Residents sit outside their damaged house after powerful Typhoon Haiyan slammed into Tacloban city, Leyte province, central Philippines on Saturday, Nov. 9, 2013. The central Philippine city of Tacloban was in ruins Saturday, a day after being ravaged by one of the strongest typhoons on record, as horrified residents spoke of storm surges as high as trees and authorities said they were expecting a "very high number of fatalities." (AP Photo/Aaron Favila) (credit:AP)
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Residents sift through the rubble of their damaged house following a powerful typhoon that hit Tacloban city, in Leyte province, central Philippines Saturday, Nov. 9, 2013. The central Philippine city of Tacloban was in ruins Saturday, a day after being ravaged by Typhoon Haiyan, one of the strongest typhoons on record, as horrified residents spoke of storm surges as high as trees and authorities said they were expecting a "very high number of fatalities." (AP Photo/Bullit Marquez) (credit:AP)
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Residents sift through the rubble of their damaged house following a powerful typhoon that hit Tacloban city, in Leyte province, central Philippines Saturday, Nov. 9, 2013. The central Philippine city of Tacloban was in ruins Saturday, a day after being ravaged by Typhoon Haiyan, one of the strongest typhoons on record, as horrified residents spoke of storm surges as high as trees and authorities said they were expecting a "very high number of fatalities." (AP Photo/Bullit Marquez) (credit:AP)
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Debris, including a container van, litter the streets of Tacloban following a powerful typhoon that hit this city in Leyte province, central Philippines Saturday, Nov. 9, 2013. The central Philippine city of Tacloban was in ruins Saturday, a day after being ravaged by Typhoon Haiyan, one of the strongest typhoons on record, as horrified residents spoke of storm surges as high as trees and authorities said they were expecting a "very high number of fatalities." (AP Photo/Bullit Marquez) (credit:AP)
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Residents go on their daily business Saturday, Nov. 9, 2013 following a powerful typhoon that hit Tacloban city, in Leyte province, central Philippines. The central Philippine city of Tacloban was in ruins Saturday, a day after being ravaged by Typhoon Haiyan, one of the strongest typhoons on record, as horrified residents spoke of storm surges as high as trees and authorities said they were expecting a "very high number of fatalities." (AP Photo/Bullit Marquez) (credit:AP)
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Bodies wrapped in blankets are placed inside a damaged chapel Saturday, Nov. 9, 2013, a day after powerful Typhoon Haiyan slammed Tacloban city, in Leyte province, central Philippines. The central Philippine city of Tacloban was in ruins Saturday, a day after being ravaged by one of the strongest typhoons on record, as horrified residents spoke of storm surges as high as trees and authorities said they were expecting a "very high number of fatalities." (AP Photo/Bullit Marquez) (credit:AP)
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Tacloban city, devastated by powerful Typhoon Haiyan, is seen in Leyte province, central Philippines Saturday, Nov. 9, 2013. The central Philippine city of Tacloban was in ruins Saturday, a day after being ravaged by one of the strongest typhoons on record, as horrified residents spoke of storm surges as high as trees and authorities said they were expecting a "very high number of fatalities." (AP Photo/Bullit Marquez) (credit:AP)
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Tacloban city, devastated by powerful Typhoon Haiyan, is seen in Leyte province, central Philippines Saturday, Nov. 9, 2013. The central Philippine city of Tacloban was in ruins Saturday, a day after being ravaged by one of the strongest typhoons on record, as horrified residents spoke of storm surges as high as trees and authorities said they were expecting a "very high number of fatalities." (AP Photo/Bullit Marquez) (credit:AP)
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Survivor Sandy Torotoro pedals his pedicab along a dark street after powerful Typhoon Haiyan slammed into Tacloban city, Leyte province central Philippines on Saturday, Nov. 9, 2013. The 44 year-old bicycle taxi driver who lives near an airport with his wife and 8 year-old daughter, said he and others took refuge inside a parked Jeep to protect themselves from the storm, but the vehicle was swept away by a surging wall of water. (AP Photo/Aaron Favila) (credit:AP)
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A survivor carries relief goods amongst the devastation after powerful Typhoon Haiyan slammed into Tacloban city, Leyte province central Philippines on Saturday, Nov. 9, 2013. Rescuers in the central Philippines counted at least 100 people dead and many more injured Saturday, a day after one of the most powerful typhoons on record ripped through the region, wiping away buildings and leveling seaside homes with massive storm surges. (AP Photo/Aaron Favila) (credit:AP)
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Houses are damaged after powerful Typhoon Haiyan slammed into Tacloban, central Philippines on Saturday, Nov. 9, 2013. Rescuers in the central Philippines counted at least 100 people dead and many more injured Saturday, a day after one of the most powerful typhoons on record ripped through the region, wiping away buildings and leveling seaside homes with massive storm surges. (AP Photo/Aaron Favila) (credit:AP)
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A woman stands amidst the devastation brought about by powerful Typhoon Haiyan at Tacloban city, in Leyte province, central Philippines Saturday Nov. 9, 2013. Rescuers in the central Philippines counted at least 100 people dead and many more injured Saturday, a day after one of the most powerful typhoons on record ripped through the region, wiping away buildings and leveling seaside homes with massive storm surges. (AP Photo/Bullit Marquez) (credit:AP)
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Residents try to seek shelter with their belongings following a powerful typhoon that hit Tacloban city, in Leyte province, central Philippines Saturday Nov. 9, 2013. Rescuers in the central Philippines counted at least 100 people dead and many more injured Saturday, a day after Typhoon Haiyan, one of the most powerful typhoons on record, ripped through the region, wiping away buildings and leveling seaside homes with massive storm surges. (AP Photo/Bullit Marquez) (credit:AP)
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A Philippine flag stands amongst the damage caused after powerful Typhoon Haiyan slammed into Tacloban city, Leyte province, central Philippines on Saturday, Nov. 9, 2013. Rescuers in the central Philippines counted at least 100 people dead and many more injured Saturday, a day after one of the most powerful typhoons on record ripped through the region, wiping away buildings and leveling seaside homes with massive storm surges. (AP Photo/Aaron Favila) (credit:AP)
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A man sits in the debris with an uprooted tree seen in background, after powerful typhoon Haiyan slammed into Tacloban, central Philippines on Saturday, Nov. 9, 2013. Rescuers in the central Philippines counted at least 100 people dead and many more injured Saturday, a day after one of the most powerful typhoons on record ripped through the region, wiping away buildings and leveling seaside homes with massive storm surges. (AP Photo/Aaron Favila) (credit:AP)
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A Filipino trooper passes by toppled cars outside the airport terminal after powerful Typhoon Haiyan slammed into Tacloban city, Leyte province, central Philippines on Saturday, Nov. 9, 2013. Rescuers in the central Philippines counted at least 100 people dead and many more injured Saturday, a day after one of the most powerful typhoons on record ripped through the region, wiping away buildings and leveling seaside homes with massive storm surges. (AP Photo/Aaron Favila) (credit:AP)
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An injured man walks with an aid of a cane to get some treatment following a powerful typhoon that hit Tacloban city, in Leyte province in central Philippines Saturday Nov. 9, 2013. Rescuers in the central Philippines counted at least 100 people dead and many more injured Saturday, a day after Typhoon Haiyan , one of the most powerful typhoons on record, ripped through the region, wiping away buildings and leveling seaside homes with massive storm surges. (AP Photo/Bullit Marquez) (credit:AP)
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A boy walks past the devastation brought about by powerful typhoon Haiyan at Tacloban city, in Leyte province in central Philippines Saturday Nov. 9, 2013. Rescuers in the central Philippines counted at least 100 people dead and many more injured, a day after one of the most powerful typhoons on record ripped through the region, wiping away buildings and leveling seaside homes with massive storm surges.(AP Photo/Bullit Marquez) (credit:AP)
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People stay outside the remains of a damaged airport terminal after powerful Typhoon Haiyan slammed into Tacloban city, Leyte province central Philippines on Saturday, Nov. 9, 2013. Rescuers in the central Philippines counted at least 100 people dead and many more injured Saturday, a day after one of the most powerful typhoons on record ripped through the region, wiping away buildings and leveling seaside homes with massive storm surges. (AP Photo/Aaron Favila) (credit:AP)
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Tacloban city is covered by debris Saturday, Nov. 9, 2013 after powerful Typhoon Haiyan hit the city in Leyte province, central Philippines. Rescuers in the central Philippines counted at least 100 people dead and many more injured Saturday, a day after one of the most powerful typhoons on record ripped through the region, wiping away buildings and leveling seaside homes with massive storm surges.(AP Photo/Bullit Marquez) (credit:AP)
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In this aerial image, damaged airport is seen Saturday Nov. 9, 2013 after powerful typhoon Haiyan passed Tacloban city, in Leyte province in central Philippines. Rescuers in the central Philippines counted at least 100 people dead and many more injured Saturday, a day after one of the most powerful typhoons on record ripped through the region, wiping away buildings and leveling seaside homes with massive storm surges. (AP Photo/Bullit Marquez) (credit:AP)
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Residents look at bodies brought inside a damaged chapel Saturday, Nov. 9, 2013, a day after powerful Typhoon Haiyan slammed Tacloban city, in Leyte province in central Philippines. Rescuers in the central Philippines counted at least 100 people dead and many more injured Saturday, a day after one of the most powerful typhoons on record ripped through the region, wiping away buildings and leveling seaside homes with massive storm surges. (AP Photo/Bullit Marquez) (credit:AP)
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Soldiers load relief supplies for airlift to affected areas Saturday Nov. 9, 2013, a day after powerful typhoon hit Tacloban city, in Leyte province in central Philippines. Rescuers in the central Philippines counted at least 100 people dead and many more injured, a day after one of the most powerful typhoons on record ripped through the region, wiping away buildings and leveling seaside homes with massive storm surges. (AP Photo/Bullit Marquez) (credit:AP)

Pictures from the affected area show survivors picking through the wreckages of their homes. The Red Cross said there are still many bodies floating in the water.

Regional military commander Lt. Gen. Roy Deveraturda said that the casualty figure "probably will increase," after viewing aerial photographs of the widespread devastation caused by the typhoon, which was heading toward Vietnam after moving away from the Philippines.

Oxfam has dispatched a team of experts on the ground to assess the water, public health and sanitation conditions in Bohol today and another batch of teams will go to Northern Cebu, Northern and Eastern Samar and Leyte, in the Eastern Visayas region in the Philippines.

Marie Madamba-Nunez of Oxfam said: "Making sure people have clean water, safe sanitation and a roof over peoples heads will be an immediate priority.

"These disasters compound the burden of Philippines' poorest people. Small scale farmers and those relying on fishing to make a living will be hardest hit. Their fields and their boats and tackle will be badly damaged and they will need help not only today but in months to come.

"Economic solutions to root out poverty and inequality must be paired with minimising the risk of poor communities to the vagaries of weather and climate change."

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