TÁNAISTE EAMON GILMORE has announced emergency funding of €1 million towards the relief effort for Typhoon Haiyan in the Philippines, as well as essential shelter items for distribution to these affected.

The €1 million Irish Aid funding will be made available through trusted Irish NGOs and will go towards shelter, food, water and health. Tents, blankets and other basic necessitates, will be made available by Irish Aid and distributed in the Philippines through NGO Plan Ireland. Ireland’s Rapid Response Corps is also on standby to provide expert help to UN agencies operating on the ground.

Speaking today, Gilmore said his thoughts are with the families of those who have perished and those waiting to hear of news from their loved ones.

Minister for Trade and Development, Joe Costello said his officials have been in contact with NGO and UN partners on the ground since Thursday to see how to best assist.

“While there are difficulties with access and the scale of the disaster is not yet clear, it’s important that we respond quickly,” he commented.

The Irish Aid funding will be provided to NGOs and will be distributed on the basis of needs assessments currently being carried out by UN, Red Cross and NGOs in the affected areas.

200 tarpaulins, 85 family tents, 10,000 blankets and other basic food and hygiene necessities are being made available from Irish Aid stocks, pre-positioned in Dubai and are due to reach the Philippines tomorrow.

Related: Irish aid workers in Philippines report roads ‘blocked due to dead bodies’>

Read: Typhoon death toll could reach 10,000 in one city alone>