The local Filipino community is organizing fund-raising efforts to assist millions devastated by Typhoon Haiyan when it tore through the Philippines last Friday.

Many communities in the country's southern islands were flattened by the massive storm. While the death count is still rising, officials are suggesting it could exceed 10,000.

It's estimated approximately nine million residents were affected when Haiyan crossed over a long stretch through the south, less than a month after the country was hit by massive earthquake which also left thousands homeless.

The Canadian Filipino Association of the Yukon held a board meeting Tuesday night to organize a dinner and silent auction for Nov. 23, though a location has not yet been finalized.

Association vice-president Aileen Maningas said this morning $2,500 was raised at last Saturday's Pinoy New Talent contest held at the Kwanlin Dun Cultural Centre, with the premier and a couple of other cabinet ministers in attendance.

The money raised at the talent contest together with other cash donations coming in will be sent later this week to the Philippines, Maningas said, adding they are hoping to send off between $6,000 and $7,000.

"We are going to send this directly to a non-profit in the Philippines that has a track record of doing relief work on the ground in the affected areas,” Maningas said.

"The reason we are doing this is we want to support direct and immediate efforts.”

Longer-term fund-raising over the next three weeks, including money raised at the Nov. 23 dinner and auction, will be used to provide a contribution to a general Canadian fund which the federal government has committed to match dollar-for-dollar, Maningas said.

She said anybody wanting to donate can do so at the Asian Central Store downtown on Third Avenue behind the old Canadian Tire store.

Donations of clothing are also being accepted, as there is a company in Vancouver which has offered to ship the garments to the Philippines.

The association is still looking for a local connection to get the clothing to Vancouver, she said.

The Filipino association is also organizing a drive to place donation jars in local businesses.

Maningas said she does not have any relatives who were affected by the tragedy.

But she said many Filipinos living here still have not been able to confirm the status of family and relatives because the communication network was ravaged by the typhoon.

Yvonne Clarke, past president of the Canadian Filipino Association of the Yukon, has relatives who were left homeless when Haiyan blew through Ormoc City on the island of Leyte.

"They are hungry, they are scared and their emotions are strained,” she said. "We are very sad, and the least we can do is send money home.”

Clarke said she has sent money to relatives living in Cebu, a two-hour ferry ride from Ormoc, so they can purchase goods and deliver them directly to her aunt, uncle and cousins.

Her mom's and dad's home was not hit by the typhoon and they too are helping with whatever financial assistance they can provide.

The misery left behind by Haiyan is being compounded by desperation and looting, though international aid agencies are starting to deliver relief to affected areas, Clarke said.

Premier Darrell Pasloski announced Tuesday the Yukon government is providing $25,000 in financial relief.

"As this typhoon continues to directly impact the lives of millions of people, our thoughts and prayers also go out to those many Filipino who call Yukon home,” Pasloski said in the news release.

"It is unimaginable to think how this disaster may be affecting their family members in the Philippines.

"This devastating natural disaster has killed over 1,700 people, with that number continuing to climb,” Pasloski added.

"Over nine million people have been directly affected, with tens of thousands forced from their homes.”

At Tuesday night's meeting of Whitehorse city council, Mayor Dan Curtis acknowledged the devastating impact of Typhoon Haiyan, noting that the thoughts of council are with those affected by the disaster.

Curtis said more than 2,000 Filipinos now make Whitehorse their home.

Yukoners wishing to make a personal donation may contact the Canadian Red Cross toll-free at 1-800-418-1111 or donate online at www.redcross.ca.

See more on the disaster in today's Nation and World sections.