ROYAL Navy aircraft carrier HMS Illustrious has been sent to the Philippines to help with the relief effort following the devastation caused by Typhoon Haiyan.
The vessel, which was taking part in exercises in the Gulf, will arrive in the disaster zone to support the humanitarian operation by November 25, replacing HMS Daring, which has already been deployed to the Philippines.
Just more than £2 million has been raised in Scotland in the first two days of an appeal to help victims of the massive typhoon in the Philippines. The Scottish Government has pledged £600,000 and a further £1.45m has been raised in public donations to the Disasters Emergency Committee (DEC) appeal.
HMS Illustrious, the Royal Navy's only operational aircraft carrier, has a 900-strong crew and seven helicopters able to provide assistance, as well as the ability to create fresh water, vital in the effort to combat the spread of disease.
David Cameron, who announced the deployment of HMS Illustrious during a visit to India, said: "What happened in the Philippines is an absolute tragedy. You can see the devastation, the suffering, and it's quite clear that we are going to need long-term help for those people. As ever, the British people have been very generous with their donations.
"The British Government has already pledged over £20 million, which makes us one of the most generous donors anywhere in the world.
"But it's practical action that's needed as well. That's why I sent HMS Daring to go and help in the Philippines and I can announce today that once Daring has started its work, we are actually going to be able to replace in time HMS Daring with HMS Illustrious, which is, of course, a carrier with helicopters - seven times as many helicopters as on HMS Daring and with the key ability to process fresh water, so we will be giving further assistance."
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