Yolanda death toll now over 5,600; nearly 1,800 persons still missing

MANILA, Philippines - The government on Saturday said the death toll from super typhoon Yolanda has risen to 5,632  and 1,759 people are still missing.

The number of injured is 26,316 and cost of damge sustained from the catastrophe was estimated at P30.6 billion, of which P15.62 billion from infrastructure and P14.98 billion from the agriculture sector.

"A total of 2,335,031 families/10,999, 244 persons were affected in 12,014 barangays in 44 provinces, 586 municipalities and 57 cities...," the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council.

So far, P708.06 million in relief assistance was provided to the affected families.

On November 8, the strongest typhoon this year made landfall over the central Philippines. The typhoon felled communications and power lines, as well as brought about storm surges of some 15- to 20-foot high.