As aid workers laboured round-the-clock to get food, clean water, shelter and basic medicines to the survivors of Typhoon Haiyan, the United Nations (UN) made a worldwide appeal for nearly $301 million funding to provide humanitarian assistance to the Philippines on Tuesday. The flash appeal for financial aid was launched by UN Emergency Relief Coordinator Valerie Amos after surveying the damage caused over the weekend by Typhoon Haiyan, as it ripped through nine regions in south-east Asia.

"The appeal of $301 million covers an initial period of six months," said Jens Laerke, spokesperson at the UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) in Geneva.

"The humanitarian community continues to scale up its operations to provide lifesaving aid. Many areas do remain inaccessible, we are reaching into them little by little."

The UN World Meteorological Organization (WMO) termed Typhoon Haiyan as the strongest tropical cyclone. More than 11 million people have reportedly been affected by what is considered as one of the most intense cyclones ever recorded.

Initial reports said as many as 10,000 people were feared dead. But Philippines President Benigno Aquino was quoted by CNN as saying the initial death projection was "too much" and that the final accounting would more likely be around 2,000 to 2,500 dead.

Accordingly to the OCHA, at least 670,000 people have been displaced. Majority of them are being sheltered in evacuation centres or in host communities and makeshift shelters.

"Water supply and power are cut. Much of the food stocks and other goods are destroyed. Many health facilities are not functioning and medical supplies [are] quickly being exhausted," the UN office said in its update.

In the Philippines, meanwhile, the UN World Health Organization (WHO), together with the government, is setting up field hospitals.

The UN termed the health needs arising from the disaster as "significant". The conditions are expected to get worse by crowded living conditions and contaminated drinking water which can lead to spread of diseases.