As many as 10,000 people are dead in just one area of the Philippines devastated by the super typhoon. The Philippine government has so far only confirmed the death of several hundred people after the storm struck, but Tacloban City is said to be a scene of complete devastation.

“We had a meeting last night with the governor and based on the government's estimates, initially there are 10,000 casualties [dead].  The devastation is so big,” said Chief Superintendent Elmer Soria in the provincial capital Tacloban.

Nearly 70 to 80 percent of residential buildings in Leyte province are believed to have been ruined by the storm.  The death toll in the city of Tacloban City alone “could go up to 10,000,” said senior government official Tecson Lim.

There's no clean water, no electricity and very little food.  Officials said they were struggling to distribute aid and that looting was widespread.

Australia has pledged nearly A$400,000 worth of emergency aid to devastated communities.  European Commission President José Manuel Barroso has already sent a team to assist the Philippine authorities and said, “We stand ready to contribute with urgent relief and assistance if so required in this hour of need.”  The US already had Marines in place to survey the damage.  Secretary of State John Kerry said in a statement that America “stands ready to help.”