Philippines: Food aid ramps up for population still stunned by typhoon

Pinalanga, Samar Island. The flag of the Philippines surrounded by a landscape of destroyed coconut trees. Typhoon Haiyan, which brought winds of up to 300 km per hour, damaged crops and thousands of homes, mainly on Samar and Leyte in the Eastern Visayas.

Guiuan, Samar Island. A mother with her family in their destroyed home, moments before sunset.

Guiuan, Samar Island. Moments before sunset, a desolate landscape of destroyed coconut trees outside the centre of town. With basic infrastructure destroyed, water and electricity supplies disrupted and all communications down, organizing a rapid delivery of essential aid is proving very challenging.

Guiuan, Samar Island. The town centre minutes before sunrise. The southern coastal municipalities of Guiuan, Mercedes, Salcedo, Balangkayan and Hernani, all on Samar Island, were the most devastated by the typhoon and were given priority for food distributions.

Guiuan, Samar Island. A girl sits on a jerrycan waiting for clean drinking water. The ICRC is working with Red Cross and Red Crescent partners to respond to the most urgent needs, which include water, in the aftermath of Typhoon Haiyan.

Tacloban, Leyte Island. A general view of a destroyed part of the city near the airport. A pig roams through the mud in front of a local "Jeepney".

Guiuan, Samar Island. A tricycle transporting a passenger under pouring rain in the centre of town.

Balangkayan, Samar Island. A ruined wooden house appears to be on the point of collapse. The ICRC is distributing food aid along the coastline to the people most affected by the disaster.

Guiuan, Samar Island. Sabeena, 66, outside her restored shack, surrounded by devastated coconut trees, as dusk approaches. Her house collapsed when the typhoon hit, and she injured her head. She and her husband weathered the eye of the storm as wind and rains lashed the coastline, destroying their coconut crops spread across 10,000 square metres of land. The family now depends on food aid.

Pinalanga, Samar Island. Hungry children hold a sign calling for help as they await food and water supplies.

Guiuan, Samar Island. ICRC cars arrive by chartered barge into Guiuan port. With airports and roads severely affected by the typhoon, waterways have been essential in delivering aid.

Guiuan, Samar Island. An ICRC convoy moves towards the aid distribution site at Guiuan airport.

Balangiga, Samar Island. ICRC economic security delegate Agnes, standing on a truck, inspects food items to be distributed to families affected by the typhoon.

Batang Barangay. A group of girls smile as ICRC staff distribute food aid. The ICRC has provided food for over 50,000 people in the first phase of its response to the disaster.