Typhoon Haiyan: Aid trickles into worst hit areas

International aid is gathering pace and has finally arrived in the areas worst affected by the deadly Typhoon Haiyan, the Untied Nations said.

The UN confirmed that the aid efforts are starting to have a major impact with thousands of victims receiving supplies.

However health experts have warned that the worst affected areas are entering a peak danger period for the spread of infectious diseases.

Consequently, medical teams increased their efforts in operating the worst hit areas while US navy helicopters have been dropping medicines and other supplies.

Both the Red Cross and the medical charity Medecins Sans Frontieres (MSF) said they would have mobile surgical units up and running in Tacloban by the end of the weekend.

Typhoon Haiyan has affected about 11 million people, according to UN estimates. Last Friday's typhoon was one of the most powerful storms ever recorded on land, with winds exceeding 320km/h.

So far, 3,637 people have been reported dead, 12,501 injured and 1,186 missing. The death toll is expected to rise as further assessments are made.

Meanwhile, the US military said it would send about 1,000 more troops along with additional ships and aircraft to join the aid effort.

Britain will give an extra £30m in emergency aid, bringing UK assistance to £50m, Prime Minister David Cameron announced. The UK Disasters Emergency Committee said donations from the public had reached £33m.

Although a huge international aid effort is under way, widespread infrastructure damage is hampering efforts to distribute it to some areas while desperate survivors are still trying to leave the coastal city of Ormoc, 105 km west of Tacloban.