Philippine authorities have been overwhelmed, their efforts to quickly deliver aid hamstrung by the destruction of airports, roads, bridges and other infrastructure.
Many areas remain cut off from any relief efforts, leaving bodies to rot in the humid atmosphere and survivors little choice but to rummage through the debris for food, water and other essentials.
Even in Tacloban, the base for relief operations in Leyte, bodies remained littered through the streets and the stench of rotting flesh hung thick in the air.
The UN's Ging praised the government response as "very impressive", however he told reporters of the battle to get to Tacloban and other areas.
He said it was taking three hours for relief vehicles to cover the 11 kilometres (seven miles) from Tacloban airport into the city.