Typhoon Haiyan Aftermath: Aerial Images Show Scale of Destruction in Philippines [PHOTOS]

An aerial view of a coastal town, devastated by super Typhoon Haiyan, in Samar province in central Philippines. (Photo: REUTERS/Erik De Castro)

Vast swathes of human settlements in central Philippines have been reduced to rubble by typhoon Haiyan.

Entire towns and villages have been flattened by the super storm, described as the most powerful hurricane ever to have made landfall.

According to reports, the typhoon has left behind a long trail of destruction: a huge ship washed ashore, wrecked houses and buildings, flooded rice fields, battered coconut plantations and washed away roads.

Apart from killing an estimated 10,000 people, the storm has affected up to four million children.

"Reaching the worst affected areas is very difficult, with limited access due to the damage caused by the typhoon to infrastructure and communications. But we are working around the clock to find ways to get these supplies to children as quickly as conditions allow," UNICEF said in a statement.

Survivors are reported to be foraging for food and are in dire need of shelter, clean water and basic medicines.

"People, families with children are walking along the ruined roads," Leon Dominador Fajardo, a UNICEF Emergency Specialist in Tacloban City, one of the most-damaged areas, said.

He added: "I don't know where they are going - there is nowhere to go. They are walking because their homes are gone and they have nowhere to go."

"So many people have nothing. Their children are hungry, some are sick, and they are frustrated."

Heavy rain in the central and southern Philippines due to a depression has only added to the misery of the survivors.

With the help of the US and the UK, rescue workers are trying to reach towns and villages cut off by Haiyan.

New aerial images of the affected areas show the extent of devastation. Scroll down to view the photos.