The New Zealand government announced Friday it is giving 500,000 NZ dollars (415,904 U.S. dollars) to help survivors of Typhoon Bopha in the Philippines.

Foreign Affairs Minister Murray McCully said New Zealand would provide immediate funding to the International Federation of the Red Cross Appeal to provide essential relief items such as food, clean water and shelter.

"More than 400 lives have been confirmed lost during this disaster and a further 383 are missing. Around 230,000 people are thought to have been affected, with homes, roads, bridges, power and communications infrastructure either damaged or destroyed," McCully said in a statement.

"Assessments are on-going and New Zealand will consider additional assistance if needed." Endi