UAE intensifies aid efforts in the Philippines after Super Typhoon Goni

Emirates Red Crescent distributes food and medical supplies after the country was battered by three storms

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  Residents walk past a toppled structure as waves batter the coast of Sorsogon province. AP Photo

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  Strong waves batter the coast of Sorsogon province as a typhoon locally known as Goni hits the country. AP Photo

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  A rescuer carries a sick child as they evacuate residents living along a coastal community in Manila, Philippines. AP Photo

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  A view of heavy rain during Typhoon Goni in Sorsogon City, Sorsogon. Reuters

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  Residents evacuate with their chickens to safer grounds as rains from a typhoon locally known as Goni start to pour in Manila. AP Photo

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  Families are evacuated by members of the Philippine Coast Guard to safer ground in Camarines Sur province, eastern Philippines. Philippine Coast Guard via AP

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  Residents carrying their belongings arrive at an evacuation center in Legaspi, Albay province. AFP

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  Residents crowd a grocery store to buy essential goods in Legaspi, Albay. AFP

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  A man fishes in a swollen river caused by heavy rains in Ilagan town, Isabela. AFP

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  A worker removes an advertisement in preparation for typhoon Goni in Pasay City. EPA

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  Satellite image released by NASA Worldview, Earth Observing System Data and Information System (EOSDIS) shows a typhoon locally known as Goni moving around the Philippines. NASA via AP

The UAE ramped up aid efforts to help people in the Philippines affected by Super Typhoon Goni.

The Emirates Red Crescent is distributing urgent relief including food, shelter and medical supplies to thousands of families.

Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed, Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi and Deputy Supreme Commander of the Armed Forces, ordered the humanitarian help and the operation is being monitored by Sheikh Hamdan bin Zayed, the Ruler's Representative in Al Dhafra and chairman of the Emirates Red Crescent.

Goni devastated parts of the Philippines this month. At least 16 people were killed when the storm, which reached speeds of 225 kilometres per hour, tore through the island of Luzon.

It was the third powerful storm to hit the country in the past four weeks. Typhoon Vamco wreaked havoc across the Philippines last week and Typhoon Molave hit in October.

An Emirates Red Crescent delegation in the country, meanwhile, visited affected areas, met relief workers and vowed to support those most in need despite the difficulties caused by damage to roads and infrastructure.