The British public’s “overwhelming generosity” has helped the Philippines appeal become one of the most successful donation campaigns in history.
The Disasters Emergency Committee’s Philippines Typhoon Appeal has already reached £39 million.
Four million people have been forced to leave their homes since Typhoon Haiyan struck over a week ago, while the death toll is expected to exceed 10,000.
On behalf of the 14 UK charities which make up the DEC, chief executive Saleh Saeed said: “We have been completely overwhelmed by the kindness and compassion of the UK public the response has been incredible.
“However, with 11 million people affected and four million people becoming displaced from their homes, the need for urgent support is vital.
“Through DEC agencies, we are getting clean water, medication, sanitation and temporary shelter materials immediately to people. We must also start to look at the future as sadly we know it will take months and years to rebuild people’s lives.”
Celebrities have also used their influence to spread the fundraising message, with former England football captain and Unicef ambassador David Beckham writing in the Mirror newspaper to appeal for aid.
Boy band One Direction, contestants from Strictly Come Dancing and comedian Stephen Merchant are expected to join a host of other celebrities supporting the Typhoon Haiyan charity appeal, launching a celebrity telethon on Twitter and taking calls from donors at the BT Tower in central London from 4pm to 7pm today.
A number of Britons are missing following the typhoon.
Among those feared dead is Colin Bembridge, 61, from Grimsby, Lincolnshire, who was staying with his Filipino partner Maybelle, 35, and their three-year-old daughter Victoria near the city of Tacloban when the storm struck.