UNITED NATIONS, October 6 (RIA Novosti) - A number of UN agencies appealed on Tuesday for a total of $74 million to provide emergency assistance to over 1 mln people in the Philippines, hit recently by two tropical storms.

According to the UN, at least 300 people were killed when Typhoon Ketsana hit the South-East Asian nation last week, displacing hundreds of thousands. The disaster was followed over the weekend by Typhoon Parma, which is still raging over the region.

The storms and subsequent flooding have destroyed at least 4,000 homes and about $117 million worth of crops.

"Some 400,000 people are living in emergency shelters around the hard-hit capital, Manila, with many expected to return to their homes once the water has receded," the UN said on its website.

Out of the total sum needed for emergency aid, the UN World Food Program (WFP) is asking for $26 million, the UN Children's Fund (UNICEF) - for about $13 million, and the World Health Organization (WHO) for at least $7 million.

The funds will be used to provide both emergency and long-term assistance to the Philippines during the next six months.