NZ aid agencies ready to help Phl following Typhoon Haiyan

WELLINGTON (Xinhua) - New Zealand Foreign Minister Murray McCully on Sunday announced New Zealand has made an initial contribution of $125,000 to the International Federation of Red Cross to support immediate relief efforts in the Philippines following Typhoon Haiyan.

"Typhoon Haiyan was one of the largest storms on record and has had a major impact on the Philippines - a country that has recently been hit by successive natural disasters," McCully said in a statement.

New Zealand's contribution will help the Red Cross maintain emergency supply stocks and carry out impact assessments in affected areas.

He said New Zealand will consider further support as the full extent of the damage becomes clear.

The New Zealand Red Cross said it has already committed 500,000 NZ dollars to help those affected and officers are on stand-by to send personnel to Tacloban.