As the focus in the typhoon-ravaged Philippines turns to helping the hundreds of thousands of people needing emergency aid, Tauranga's Filipino community is stepping up to the mark and offering a lending hand.

Typhoon Haiyan ripped through the eastern seaboard of the Philippines on Friday, quickly barrelling across its central islands, with winds gusting to 275 km/h along with a storm surge of six metres.

Devastation in the Philippines following Typhoon Haiyan. Photo: Unicef.

In its wake it brought widespread flooding and the destruction of homes and infrastructure with 10,000 people believed to be dead in the provincial capital of Tacloban, Leyte Island alone.

According to reports at least four million people are affected by what appears to be one of the worst natural disasters ever recorded in the country, which is regularly affected by earthquakes, volcanoes and tropical storms.

Tauranga Regional Multicultural Council president Ewa Fenn says it is 'devastating” for Tauranga's Filipino community to watch the destruction unfold 8092km away, but plans are already in place to help get their country back on its feet.

On November 27 the council is hosting its monthly ‘Living in harmony' meeting which is instead being converted into a fundraising event with all proceeds donated to the Red Cross' Philippines appeal.

Tauranga's Filipino community boasts about 1000 families, says Ewa.

'We have these once a month where every country is represented and it just happens that it was the Philippines turn this month.

'I have spoken to one of the ladies from the organisation [Tauranga Filipino Society] and she tells me that the Typhoon hasn't affected their particular area but they are keen to do something.”

Yesterday the Red Cross announced its appeal for those affected by Typhoon Haiyan with an initial contribution of $100,000 targeted. The New Zealand Government is pledging $150,000 in aid relief.

Aid agencies are struggling to reach some of the more remote areas and the international Red Cross movement is responding and helping Philippines Red Cross with aid, personnel and emergency goods.

New Zealand Red Cross acting secretary general Bruce McGregor says the best way for people to help is by donating to the appeal, not by giving goods.

'Unsolicited goods can clog up ports and airports and distract staff from more important tasks. This can be detrimental to those most in need.”

The International Federation of Red Cross has pre-stocked warehouses across the Asia-Pacific region, full of brand new goods including tarpaulins, blankets, kitchen sets and jerry cans.

He says 100 per cent of funds raised will go towards responding to the disaster. To donate to the emergency appeal visit www.redcross.org.nz