A Bradford charity is at the frontline of rescue operations in the aftermath of the worst typhoon ever recorded on land in the Philippines.

The Human Relief Foundation has joined forces with Plan UK, which is part of the Disasters Emergency Committee, to deliver aid on the ground in the wake of Typhoon Haiyan.

Sarah Gate, of the Human Relief Foundation, told how its main focus was women and children whose lives have been ripped apart by the disaster, which is estimated to have affected 11 million people and killed about 10,000.

“The situation is extremely bleak,” she said. “Many more are at risk of losing their lives if we do not respond.

“Our emergency relief project in the Philippines aims to offer emergency response in the first instance. We are raising funds to supply emergency food, water and shelter.

“There have been reports this week of young men digging up water pipes in a desperate attempt to provide for their families.

“This, mixed with looting and lack of power, is making the Philippines a very dangerous place to be.”

The Human Relief Foundation is asking for donations for emergency items, including water, hygiene and shelter kits.

It says £4 will provide a water kit for one family for a month, £25 provides a hygiene kit and £80 provides a full shelter kit for one family.

“The Yorkshire community are so giving when it comes to helping others,” Sarah added.

“We hope that they will come forward this time, in the knowledge that their donations will be helping people in the Philippines to rebuild their lives.”

Country director for Philippines for Plan UK, Carin van der Hor, who is working with Human Relief Foundation, said: “Children are always badly affected by disasters like this; some will lose their lives, or lose parents, siblings and extended families. Everything that is familiar and safe is disrupted or destroyed, including homes, schooling and family livelihoods. Some of these children will witness things no child should have to see.

“This is a disaster of the highest magnitude that is potentially the worst natural disaster the country has ever experienced. The people of the Philippines endure a reverend cycle of typhoons, floods, earthquakes and landslides, but we haven’t seen anything as ferocious as this typhoon before.”

Human Relief Foundation is collecting funds in association with Plan UK, who are working with the Disaster Emergency Committee.

People can donate to the Human Relief Foundation by visiting hrf.org.uk, or they can text phpl35 £5 to 70070 to donate.

Carla Tondo, of the Filipino Association of Bradford, which also hopes to raise funds to help the victims of the typhoon, said the images she had seen of the chaos were “heartbreaking”.

The nurse said: “I don’t want to see the photographs. They make me emotional, they make me want to cry just thinking about them.

“To see all the suffering and chaos breaks my heart.”

Members of the British Filipino Association of Bradford will pack bags at Tesco on Great Horton Road on Saturday and Sunday, as well as collected tinned food.

Staff at Bradford Royal Infirmary will also hold a sale of Filipino home-made cakes and knitted baby cardigans in aid of the disaster next to the physiotherapy department in the main reception of the hospital next Thursday.

To offer any support to the British Filipino Association of Bradford, contact Cora Browning on 07715 407217 or Lorrie Fordan on 07833 891406.