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U-M Nurse In Philippines: No Power, Damage Is Everywhere After Typhoon Haiyan

DETROIT (WWJ) - It's been three weeks since Typhoon Haiyan hit the Philippines and relief efforts continue.

WWJ's Beth Fisher spoke University of Michigan critical care nurse Tim Launius who has spent the past week putting on medical clinics in different regions of northern Panay - helping to treat about one thousand people so far.

"Most of what we are seeing out there is more things like respiratory tract infections, kids with coughs, because these people lost their homes and everything got wet and now they are sleeping out in what is left of their home - and trying to repair their homes.," said Launius. "They are somewhat malnourished, and we're dispensing a lot of vitamins and a lot of antibiotics."

"A lot of people are stepping on things and cutting their feet - so I've dressed a lot of wounds, I think I've given more tetanus shots in the last week than I have in the previous 13 years of my career," he noted.

Launius says there's damage everywhere and no power in Rojas.

He says in one rural area, he didn't see one dwelling that wasn't damaged.

Launius says the best thing people in the U.S. can do is donate money to the Philippine relief effort.

The typhoon killed more than 5,200 people in the Philippines.

You can find out more about how you can donate to the relief effort - HERE.

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