UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon on Saturday said that he was "deeply saddened" by the loss of life and damage to property in the Philippines due to Typhoon Haiyan, believed to be one of the strongest storms ever recorded.

"The Secretary-General is deeply saddened by the extensive loss of life and the serious damage to homes and infrastructure in the Philippines as a result of the devastating Typhoon Haiyan (known locally as Yolanda)," said a statement issued here by Ban's spokesman.

The UN chief offered his sincere condolences to the people and government of the Philippines, particularly to those who have lost family members, their homes or have been otherwise affected by this disaster, the statement said.

Haiyan, which made landfalls in central Filipino provinces of Samar and Leyte early Friday, has left at least 138 people dead, while more than four million people were affected across the country, according to the official figures.

United Nations humanitarian agencies and partners are working closely with the government of the Philippines to help to assess the situation and respond rapidly to assist people in need, according to the statement.