Yolanda death toll leaps to 3,974

MANILA, Philippines - The death toll from Super Typhoon Yolanda has climbed to 3,974 as of noon yesterday, according to the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (NDRRMC).

The NDRRMC said Yolanda left at least 12,544 persons injured while 1,186 others remain missing.

It said about 10.154 million individuals or 2.178 million families have been affected in 10,276 villages in Calabarzon (Cavite, Laguna, Batangas, Rizal, Quezon), Mimaropa (Mindoro, Marinduque, Romblon, Palawan), Bicol, Visayas, Northern Mindanao, Davao, and Caraga regions.

Of the affected residents, 3.946 million individuals or more than 836,000 families have lost their home.

Of the number, 349,870 persons or 72,986 families are sheltered in 1,530 evacuation centers while more than 3.59 million individuals or 763,626 families are staying with their relatives or friends.

Damage to agriculture and infrastructure has been pegged at P10.33 billion while some 543,127 houses were destroyed.

The national and local governments and their partners in the private sector have provided more than P119 million worth of relief assistance to affected areas.

The NDRRMC said a total of 22,730 personnel, 1,285 vehicles, 77 vessels, 110 air assets and 27,237 units of equipment have been deployed to expedite the relief efforts.

The military has sent Army engineers to conduct clearing operations in Tacloban.

The Engineering Task Force Yolanda, composed of the 51st and 53rd Engineering brigades based in Manila and Cebu City, respectively, have been mobilized to clear and rebuild damaged communities, according to Armed Forces spokesperson Lt. Col. Ramon Zagala.