Typhoon Haiyan Wreaks Havoc in Philippines

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As the death toll grows, officials are reaching out with supplies and aid. Erik De Castro/Reuters

Typhoon Haiyan smacked into the Philippines on Friday, leaving profound devastation in its wake. The storm brought with it 195-mph winds and a 15-foot storm surge. Ships washed ashore, thousands of homes were destroyed, streets are covered in debris, and the dead bodies left behind are forcing survivors to cover their noses. While the official death toll stands at 1,800, officials say that number could eventually reach 10,000. One of the hardest hit areas was the city of Tacloban on the island of Samar, home to more than 200,000 people before the storm hit. In Tacloban now, "virtually all structures, if they were not made out of concrete or steel, are gone," a Marine brigadier general told National Public Radio.

The focus this week is on getting basic supplies to the survivors. A U.S. aircraft carrier is on its way to the Philippines, and cargo planes have been ferrying supplies into Tacloban—and bringing survivors out. And while officials remain concerned about reaching remote areas, the world is responding with aid: The United Nations is putting together a $301 million relief plan, Japan has pledged $10 million, and Filipinos in the U.S. are raising money to contribute to relief efforts.

Click here to donate to the relief effort through the Red Cross.

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An aerial view of devastation of super Typhoon Haiyan as it battered a town in Samar province in central Philippines November 11, 2013. Dazed survivors of a super typhoon that swept through the Philippines begged... REUTERS/Erik De Castro
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Residents queue up to receive treatment and relief supplies at Tacloban airport Monday Nov. 11, 2013. AP Photo/Bullit Marquez
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Survivors carry bags of rice from a warehouse they stormed due to food shortages in typhoon-ravaged Tacloban city. Authorities said at least 2 million people in 41 provinces had been affected by Friday's disaster and... AP Photo/Aaron Favila
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An aerial view of the ruins of houses after the devastation of super Typhoon Haiyan in Tacloban city in central Philippines, Nov. 11, 2013. Erik De Castro/Reuters
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Overturned vehicles are seen at a rice field. Romeo Ranoco/Reuters
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Survivors pass by two large boats after they were washed ashore by strong waves caused by Typhoon Haiyan in Tacloban city, Leyte province central Philippines. Aaron Favila/AP
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An aerial view of a coconut plantation after it was hit by super Typhoon Haiyan in Samar province in central Philippines. Erik De Castro/Reuters
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Residents cover their noses as they walk past devastated houses after super typhoon Haiyan hit Tacloban city. Romeo Ranoco/Reuters
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A mannequin hangs on a tree amid debris brought by super typhoon Haiyan in Palo, Leyte province in central Philippines. Erik De Castro/Reuters
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Typhoon survivors jostle to get a chance to board a C-130 military transport plane in Tacloban, central Philippines. Thousands of typhoon survivors swarmed the airport seeking evacuation. Bullit Marquez/AP
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Survivors walk among debris of thousands of homes destroyed by super Typhoon Haiyan. Romeo Ranoco/Reuters
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Philippine military personnel try to prioritize children and women first as people wait for evacuation flights in Tacloban, central Philippines. Wally Santana/AP
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An aerial view of the devastation of super Typhoon Haiyan. Erik De Castro/Reuters

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