UPDATE: 2,357 Current Death Toll from Super Typhoon Haiyan (Yolanda); World Unites, Responds to Philippines’ Call of Mercy (Photos)
It takes a natural disaster of major catastrophic proportions like Category 5 super typhoon Haiyan (Yolanda) for the world to literally stop, forget its selfish cares and unite for a common good.
It's been exactly a week now today after the super typhoon Category 5 super typhoon Haiyan (Yolanda) blasted and ripped through the Central Philippines. As of Thursday morning, the official tally of confirmed deaths have reached 2,357.
Although the Philippine government admittedly still has to make a concerted effort on how to go about reclaiming control over this major catastrophe, stalled by naturally geographical-related barriers, still help from the outside world continues to pour in.
Martin Nesirky, the United Nations spokesperson for the Secretary-General, had said that one debilitating factor why aid seems to take forever to reach the intended recipient victims was the country's very own geographical barriers.
"People have not received aid in some cases where they desperately need it. Everybody's aware of that. It's a question of being able to marshall the resources you have and to get to the locations you can as quickly as you can. Not easy, but know people are doing the very best that they can," Mr Nesirky said.
The Phillipines is composed of a little over than 7,000 islands. Getting to deliver aid in a timely manner is difficult, especially if the infrastructure connecting these tiny, small islands were also toppled down by Category 5 super typhoon Haiyan (Yolanda).
"It's as if you've taken [an eraser] and wiped away half the infrastructure. Most of the infrastructure any of us would rely on," Geoff O'Donoghue, International Director for Catholic Agencies for Overseas Development, told NBC News' British partner ITV News. "The reality is that for those local governments - they are wiped out as well."
Rene Almendras, Philippine Secretary to the Cabinet, admitted the seeming trickle release of aid to affected victims.
"We will deny the fact and we will not insist that all places have received [aid] because there are really areas that have not yet received any. What we are saying is we need help in reaching all these that have not yet been reached," he said.
"Now, why goods are not reaching some people? That's really a local issue that we are trying to address now. So [Social Welfare] Sec Dinky [Soliman] is working with local governments, with barangay captains because these are the most powerful channels that we can use to make sure that goods flow to where they are."
Assistance from foreign nations continues. Apart from those earlier reported, additions continue piling up, like Kuwait which promised $US10 million in urgent relief aid.
Read: Civil War Rising? Filipino Netizens Warn Govt Officials Against Improper Use of Funds Meant for Typhoon Haiyan (Yolanda) Victims
The United Nations called on governments of the world to help, saying the Philippines badly needs more than $US300 million in aid, which will be used for food, health, sanitation, shelter, debris removal and also protection of the most vulnerable. For its part, the UN released $25 million for aid relief on Monday.
Organisations as big as the USAID and WWP and as small as the Our Lady of the Assumption Catholic Parish in Toronto mobilised to collect whatever they can to donate to the victims affected by the world's strongest of 2013.
"The key to saving lives in emergencies is speed," Rebecca Davies, director of fundraising for Canada's Médecins Sans Frontières (Doctors Without Borders), was quoted by CBC News.
Organisations collecting donations mostly accept everything given to them. But admit that cash donations are most preferred.
Cash can quickly translate into on-the-ground aid, CBC News reported. It enables humanitarian organisers to procure cheaper bulk supplies and then store them in warehouses around the world. When needed, they're easier to pluck and then can be quickly shipped to the region in need with a lower shipping cost, Ms Davies said.
Moreover, cash donations enable on-ground agencies to buy local, helping domestic economies such as central Philippines in particular and the national Philippines in general to recover more quickly.
"The best way that people can help is through financial contributions," Neil MacCarthy, director of communications for the archdiocese of Toronto, which oversees the Our Lady of the Assumption Church, said.
"I always like to say it's akin to if you had a flood or fire at your own home," he said. "If someone came to you and said here's $50, you get what you need because you know what's of the utmost importance right now."
Then again, this is a preference.
"Some people do not have the financial capability of donating cash," Rosemer Enverga, organiser of Toronto's typhoon Haiyan (Yolanda) fundraiser. "Some people's income is not that much so they would rather give in-kind."
One cannot also find fault in people who donate noodles, corned beef and peanut butter for a donation drive.
"It's what people imagine is necessary," Jennifer Hyndman, a York University professor, said. "It comes from the right place. You know it's a heartfelt desire to do something," Ms Hyndman, a former relief worker who helped after the 2004 tsunami in Southeast Asia, added.