A Hercules plane loaded with emergency supplies from New Zealand will depart for the typhoon-hit Philippines in the next couple of days.
John Key. Photo: RNZ
Typhoon Haiyan tore through the country on Friday, killing up to 2500 people. The United Nations says more than 11 million people are thought to have been affected after the devastating storm smashed into the nation's central islands and 673,000 people have been displaced.
Prime Minister John Key also announced on Wednesday that in addition to the $2.15 million aid package to provide immediate relief, New Zealand would launch a $2.3 million initiative to bolster disaster relief supplies for future events.
He said supplies would be placed at various locations around the Philippines so there is less delay in getting it to communities in need in case of future events.
Mr Key is postponing his visit to Manila next week, saying it would place undue pressure on its government at a critical time of the relief and recovery phase.
