Desperate survivors of the Super Typhoon Yolanda (Haiyan outside the Philippines) are begging the international community to send help, as scavenged food, water, and medical supplies are running out in the central Philippines. President Benigno Aquino declared a state of national calamity.

Nearly 100 US Marines arrived in the Philippines as the vanguard of an American force that is expected to grow in the coming days.  Defense Secretary Chuck Hagel ordered the US Pacific Command into action after the storm roared through with its 3 to 4 meter storm surge, scouring most of Tacloban City off the map.  At least 10,000 are presumed dead.  The Americans’ first task will be search and rescue mission.  Another 180 marines are en route, as is the USS George Washington aircraft carrier.  The US is just one of many nations and NGOs to spring into action.

Much of the talk about the Philippines has centered on Tacloban, a city of 100,000 where a communications infrastructure existed.  But many are worried about the boondocks.

“I think what worries us the most is that there are so many areas where we have no information from, and when we have this silence, it usually means the damage is even worse,” said Joseph Curry of the US Organization Catholic Relief Services.