These are the most recent, heartbreaking numbers on Super Typhoon Haiyan:
A death toll of 3,261, and rising, with large numbers of bodies still unburied, 12,000 injured, 25,000 missing, according to The Guardian. ABC puts the number of homeless at 3 million and DOD reports that Typhoon Haiyan has impacted nearly 7 million Filipinos, destroying 150,000 homes across the 41 provinces in the Philippines.
But The Guardian also reports:
Authorities say 18,000 people are now involved in the rescue and relief effort. The flow of aid to the affected area has increased dramatically in the last two days as international aircraft, ships and personnel, including a US aircraft carrier group, have arrived to speed up distribution. On Friday a Norwegian merchant navy training vessel docked with World Food Programme supplies, including 40 tonnes of rice, medical equipment and [sadly] 6,200 body bags.
And, “[o]fficials in Manila said foreign countries had pledged $97m in aid. In the UK, the Disasters Emergency Committee said its appeal had raised more than £30m in days.”
As we have been reporting, the U.S. military has been at the forefront in providing humanitarian aid to the people of the Philippines.
There are numerous photos of U.S. military aircraft rubber hitting the ramps and runways in the Philippines (lead image) and all kinds of U.S. Navy ships sailing towards the Philippines bringing badly needed supplies, medics and medical care. (below)
However, I believe that the following images are more indicative as to where the rubber really hits the road: our troops directly helping, supporting and providing comfort and aid to those most in need — lending a helping hand.
U.S. Marines and sailors from the USS George Washington as well as Filipino civilians help unload supplies from an HC-130 Hercules from Marine Wing Support Squadron in support of Operation Damayan in Guiuan, Philippines, Nov. 16, 2013.
Civilians exit an MH-60S Seahawk helicopter, flown by a crew from Helicopter Sea Combat Squadron 12 after being airlifted from Guiuan, the Philippines, Nov. 15, 2013. The squadron is attached to Carrier Air Wing 5 with the aircraft carrier USS George Washington, which is in the Leyte Gulf, Philippines, providing support to Operation Damayan. U.S. Navy photo by Seaman Liam Kennedy
Eastern Samar Province, Republic of the Philippines (Nov. 15, 2013) A Guiuan resident sits in a rickshaw outside of his ruined home in the aftermath of Super Typhoon Haiyan. The George Washington Strike Group supports the 3rd Marine Expeditionary Brigade to assist the Philippines government in response to the aftermath of the Super Typhoon Haiyan/Yolanda. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist Seaman Liam Kennedy)
U.S. Navy Petty Officer 2nd Class Jason Rimando delivers containers of drinking water to Filipino civilians in support of Operation Damayan in Henane, Philippines, Nov. 16, 2013. Rimando, an aircrewman, is assigned to the George Washington Strike Group in support of the 3rd Marine Expeditionary Brigade.
Displaced people of the Philippines and international personnel prepare for takeoff inside a C-17 Globemaster III during Operation Damayan from Tacloban Air Base to Manila, Nov. 15, 2013. The aircraft is assigned to the 535th Air Lift Squadron from Hickam Field, Honolulu. The 3rd Marine Expeditionary Unit is supporting the Philippine armed forces in providing humanitarian aid and disaster relief to areas affected by Typhoon Haiyan. U.S. Marine Corps photo by Sgt. Jonathan Wright
U.S. Marine Staff Sgt. Jacques Mason, right, and U.S. Marine Cpl. Zachery Stapf, help an injured Filipino civilian from a C-130 Hercules aircraft at Vilamor Air Base in Manila, Philippines, Nov. 12, 2013.
Naval Aircrewman (Tactical Helicopter) 2nd Class Jason Rimando, from Torrance, Calif., searches for a clear landing zone for an MH-60R Seahawk with the “Saberhawks” of Helicopter Maritime Strike Squadron (HSM) 77 to deliver relief supplies in support of Operation Damayan. The George Washington Strike Group supports the 3rd Marine Expeditionary Brigade to assist the Philippine government in response to the aftermath of the Super Typhoon Haiyan in the Republic of the Philippines. U.S. Navy photo by Mass
Lead image: An MV-22B Osprey circles the airfield before landing to join efforts in assisting the Philippine government in aid and relief operations at Vilamor Air Base, Manila, Philippines, Nov. 11, 2013. U.S. Marine Corps photo
The author is a retired U.S. Air Force officer and a writer.