The death toll is expected to rise reach at least 10,000. Pledge: Foreign Affairs Minister Julie Bishop. Credit:Alex Ellinghausen About $4 million will go to the United Nations, which is co-ordinating contributions from around the world. About $3 million will be spent through Australian non-government organisations and $1 million will go towards the deployment of an Australian medical team. The medical team will fly out of Darwin on Wednesday on an Australian Defence Force C17.

A further $1 million will be used for food and other essential items, such as tarpaulins, water containers and mosquito nets, and $1 million will go to the Red Cross. Trail of destruction: an aerial view of the damage in Leyte. Credit:AFP Ms Bishop said the typhoon had affected an estimated 9.5 million people across nine regions, and forced more than 600,000 people to flee their homes. ‘‘The loss of life, the damage to property, and homes has been absolutely devastating, and reports continue to come in that this is a disaster on a massive scale,’’ Ms Bishop said. She said the amount being spent was ‘‘on a scale with other countries’’.

Britain has so far pledged ﻿£6 million ($10.2 million) and the European Union €3 million ($4.3 million). In the wake of the 2004 Boxing Day tsunami, estimated to have killed more than 230,000, including at least 130,000 in Indonesia, the then Howard government pledged $1 billion in aid to Indonesia. Ms Bishop said Australia would ‘‘continue to closely monitor and consider our assistance to the Philippine government and to the people of the Philippines to this tragic event’’. The US has sent Marines from Okinawa. Asked if Australia planned to send military help, Ms Bishop said no such request had been made by the Philippines, but all options would be considered if requests were made. Prime Minister Tony Abbott has written to Philippine’s President Benigno Aquino to pass on Australia’s condolences after the storm that is believed to have killed more than 10,000 people.

Loading DFAT says Australians concerned for the welfare of family and friends in the region should first attempt to contact them directly. If that is unsuccessful they should call DFAT’s 24-hour Consular Emergency Centre on 1300 555 135 or +612 6261 3305.