Queen tells of sadness at typhoon devastation

The Government yesterday warned millions of pounds will be needed to help the victims of the disaster.

About 10,000 people are thought to have been killed and four million affected after the typhoon – said to be the strongest ever to make landfall – hit the south-east Asian nation at the weekend.

International Development Secretary Justine Greening has confirmed that under a new agreement with the Disaster Emergency Committee (DEC), the first £5m donated to the appeal by the public will be matched by the Government.

The Government had already committed £10m in aid, so the additional £5m which has been pledged will increase the UK’s support to £15m in total.

The Queen sent a message to the Philippine president Benigno Aquino III yesterday, in which she said: “I was deeply saddened to hear of the loss of life and devastation caused by the typhoon that hit the Philippines at the weekend. Prince Philip joins me in offering our heartfelt condolences to the victims and their families at this difficult time. Our deepest sympathies go out to all those whose lives have been affected.”

A Buckingham Palace spokesman also said the Queen had made a personal donation to the appeal.

The Government’s funding commitment came as the first consignment of UK aid prepares to leave for the Philippines.