RAF Brize Norton personnel have flown to the Philippines in the wake of Typhoon Haiyan.

More than 2,000 people are thought to have died and millions have been left without homes after the disaster. An C-17 Globemaster transport plane carrying medical supplies and four-wheel drive vehicles to assist in the aid effort left the Carterton air base yesterday. JCBs to assist clearing debris and in the reconstruction, were also on board.

The planes can carry 100 tonnes of freight 4,500 nautical miles, meaning only one stop is needed to reach the Far East. Another C-17 is expected to fly out next week.

Group Captain Stephen Lushington, Brize Norton commander, said: “I am immensely proud of the contribution that RAF Brize Norton personnel are making to the relief effort.”

International Development Scretary Justine Greening said: “This C-17 flight is one of a raft of shipments this week delivering food, water, shelter, medicine and other bare essentials.”