UN chief visits typhoon-hit Philippine villages

He said the U.N. was trying to raise at least $800 million over the next 12 months and provide life-saving support such as food, water, shelter and sanitation.

It will also help craft a long-term development strategy.

About $237 million, or 30 percent, of the fund has already been raised, according to a U.N. statement.

The Philippine government will focus on resettling the displaced and repairing infrastructure, Ban said.

Aquino appealed earlier in the week for international aid, saying the destruction and losses from the typhoon amounted to about $12.9 billion.

Defense Secretary Voltaire Gazmin said that the disaster zones were on their way to recovery, but that it would take at least four years to rebuild entire towns.