Two sister dailies have launched front-page appeals to help those affected by the Typhoon Haiyan disaster in the Philippines.

The Eastern Daily Press and Norwich Evening News have joined forces with children’s charity Unicef to call on their readers to help millions of survivors, many without food, water or shelter.

They launched the Christmas appeal to urge local people to give what they can to help the estimated 11m people affected, including 673,000 displaced by the typhoon.

The Archant Norfolk titles launched their Help for the Philippines campaign today with a striking front page image, below, showing some of those affected by the devastation.

Editor-in-chief Nigel Pickover said: “Our readers have a history of rallying to help those in need, no matter whether the crisis call comes from close to home or far away.

“The need for those suffering because of the devastation caused by the typhoon in the Philippines is great and I’m sure this will be another example of where people are determined to help in whatever way they can.”

The appeal says that £8 could provide vitamin sprinkles for a toddler for a whole year, while £31 could provide 500 packets of life-saving salts to help as many as 100 children suffering from dehydration caused by diarrhoea.

The Bishop of East Anglia, the Right Reverend Alan Hopes, has backed the papers’ campaign.

He said: “I have watched with horror as images of devastation have emerged from the Philippines. I know that we have a large Filipino community here in East Anglia and that we benefit greatly from their spirit of generosity, especially in our hospitals and other areas of health care.

“It is our turn, now, to assist them and their families and friends, so far away, as they strive to rebuild lives and livelihoods that have been shattered by the super-typhoon.

“The Catholic Church, through CAFOD, is already involved in the efforts of the Disaster Emergency Committee, and I am delighted that the Eastern Daily Press and the Norwich Evening News have taken such a positive initiative.”