iTunes to allow donations for typhoon relief

NEW YORK — Apple is giving iTunes users a chance to donate to relief efforts for the typhoon tragedy in the Philippines.

Users can go to the iTunes store to donate to the American Red Cross; funds raised will go to help the Asian nation, which has been devastated by Typhoon Haiyan (HY'-ahn). The official death toll is over 1,700, but as many as 10,000 are feared dead and more than 9 million people have been affected.

iTunes has done the same to raise funds for those affected by other tragedies, most recently for Superstorm Sandy. Apple says it was able to donate $2.5 million for Sandy relief based on donations from iTunes users and its own employees.

Apple said Tuesday it didn't have a specific end-date for the campaign.