palo:

Mercy Lauzon, 47, and her family decorate the Christmas tree outside their house, which was one of many damaged by the super-typhoon that devastated the city of Palo in Leyte province.

UN Secretary General Ban Ki-moon yesterday urged international donors to increase aid for typhoon victims in the Philippines.

There are shortages of food, water and shelter in the areas hit by the storm. Mr Ban said the Philippine government needed more help to repair the damage caused by the impact of Typhoon Haiyan.

It slammed into the eastern and central provinces of the Philippines some six weeks ago. The typhoon killed more than 6000 people.

It also resulted in more than four million people being displaced.

Picture: EPA