Neighbouring countries are rallying to help the Philippines as it reels from what could be the worst humanitarian disaster in its history.

Typhoon Haiyan, the strongest storm ever to hit the archipelago, made landfall Friday (November 8th) near the densely populated coastal town of Tacloban in central Philippines. Early estimates say up to 10,000 people may have been killed by the storm's record winds and tsunami-like waves that left hundreds of thousands of people homeless.

"The disaster in the Philippines is unbearable. As you know, we had a tsunami in 2004 that caused more than 230,000 deaths. So, we have empathy," Indonesian Disaster Mitigation Agency (BNPB) Sutopo Purwo Nugroho told Khabar Southeast Asia on November 10th.

Government officials said Indonesia would provide aid worth $2m, with half in goods and half in cash. It is the fourth time Indonesia sent disaster relief to the Philippines since October 2011, according to the Jakarta Post.

Calls for concrete action

At an Asia-Europe Meeting (ASEM) in Gurgaon, India on Monday, Indonesian Foreign Minister Marty Natalegawa urged nations to do more than express sympathy.

"Indonesia is pushing ASEM member nations to take concrete actions to help the Philippines, our fellow ASEM member," Marty said, according to a Jakarta Post report. "The Indonesian government has prepared concrete aid to suit the needs expressed by the Philippine government."

Indonesian Red Cross (PMI) chairman and former vice president Jusuf Kalla said he planned to visit the affected areas himself to lead the distribution of logistics, according to the Post.

Thailand's government planned a special event late Wednesday, broadcast via National Broadcasting Services of Thailand (NBT) and Radio Station of Thailand, to raise funds for survivors, The Nation reported, citing a government spokesman.

Malaysia, meanwhile, pledged RM 3.21m ($1m) and deployed 81 disaster response personnel scheduled to arrive in Tacloban on Wednesday, bearing RM 500,000 ($155,700) in food and medical aid, according to The New Straits Times.

"I know how devastated they must feel, if they're separated from or lost their loved ones," said Shao Feng, a Malaysian who returned two months ago from contract work in the Philippines.

"I heard they were aware about the storm but never expected it to turn out for the worse and claim thousands of lives. I hope those victims who are affected can be safe and can recover soon."

"God looks into our heart"

Agus Mundarif, a 56 year-old Islamic leader in Central Jakarta, applauded the help being provided.

"It is important to highlight that what happened in the Philippines is a terrible disaster and Islam teaches us to help each other, especially those in a calamity," Agus told Khabar."We should not make religious difference a big issue in providing this aid."

"We help each other. I remember Indonesia also sent $1m in aid after the Cyclone Pablo," also known as Typhoon Bopha, a Category 5 super typhoon that battered the southern Philippines in December 2012.

Agus said he hoped the Indonesian government's efforts would be followed by those of non-governmental organization and local communities.

"This is a good example for our youth as well; we need to help and care for each other in disasters. God looks into our heart and knows our sincerity. We help not only Muslim communities in Palestine or Burma, but also the Philippines, with its Catholic-majority population," he stated.

"My prayers and hopes are with everyone in the Philippines. We should all hold each other’s hands to be strong," said Martina Cabaco, a Jakarta businesswoman who used to live in Manila. "This can happen anywhere," she added.

The Indonesian youth association of Depok expressed special sympathy for younger victims.

"We hope everyone will get enough food and medicine and shelter. This is a difficult situation, especially for children. I hope there will be a speedy recovery so they can be healthy and go back to school," said Nurhadi Ahmad, a 19 year-old member.

"Our prayers and hopes are with them all," he added.

Samuel Bahari in Kuala Lumpur contributed to this report