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Geography Complicates Food Aid To Typhoon Victims

Food aid isn't getting to areas devastated by Typhoon Haiyan in the Philippines, in part because of geography. The storm touched down Friday, hitting the Leyte and Samar islands the hardest. More than 10,000 are feared dead, and survivors are growing desperate for aid.

Many hard-hit areas are unreachable by car due to the destruction, and due to damage to a key control tower, flights can only take place during daylight hours.

Some aid arrived Wednesday to relief points in Tacloban and Guinan on the island of Leyte from the World Food Programme.

According to the Guardian, the Philippine government expects to double relief efforts today and tomorrow.

Charities are encouraging cash instead of "in-kind" gifts, like clothing. Items take longer to ship, and cash can purchase more at a discount, providing aid quickly.

Read More:

  • Tons of Food in the Philippines Isn't Getting to Starving Typhoon Sruvivors (The Atlantic Wire)
  • Typhoon Haiyan: eight die in food stampede amid desperate wait for aid  (The Guardian)
  • Philippines typhoon aid: Cash the most effective donation (CBC News)