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.
A charity appeal to help the 11.5million people affected by the disaster has raised £23million in just two days and the Government has now given more than £20million in aid.
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.
Mr 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.
“But it’s practical action that’s needed as well. That’s why I sent HMS Daring to help and I can announce today that we are going to replace in time HMS Daring with HMS Illustrious, so we will be giving further assistance in the best way we can.”
A civilian Antonov cargo aircraft and at least one RAF C-17 transport plane have also been assigned to the relief effort.
International Development Secretary Justine Greening said: “HMS Illustrious will bring extra air support which can help unblock transport bottlenecks. In addition, the UK will send specialist aircraft loaded with heavy-duty equipment to speed up the offloading of relief supplies at airfields.
“We are now in peak danger period for the spread of infectious disease.”
Authorities in the Philippines said 2,357 people have been confirmed dead in the disaster, but that figure is expected to rise when information is collected from other areas.