The death toll from Typhoon Rai that lashed the Philippines on December 16 has climbed to 375, according to the latest report by the Philippine National Police (PNP).

Evacuating people out of a flooded area in the Philippines (Photo: AFP/VNA)

The typhoon, the strongest storm hitting the Philippines this year, also left 500 people injured and 56 remained missing.

On December 20, the Government mobilised military airplanes and naval vessels to carry aid to areas devastated by the typhoon.

The country is still assessing the damage, which is huge, Defense Secretary Delfin Lorenzana told reporters on the day.

He noted the top priorities are to provide food and water to storm victims and medical care for the injured.

Rai lashed the Philippines for three days, causing destruction in the central and southern Philippines region. It has so far affected some 780,000 people, of whom more than 490,000 had to evacuate.

Source: VNA