With prayers and tears, Philippines remembers the devastation of Haiyan

Survivors of the strongest typhoon ever to hit land wept at mass graves yesterday during ceremonies to mark one year since the storm devastated the central Philippines and condemned millions to deeper poverty.

Super Typhoon Haiyan claimed more than 7,350 lives as it swept in off the Pacific Ocean, with its record winds and once-in-a-generation storm surges flattening entire towns.

The typhoon tore across a corridor of islands where about 14 million people lived in farming and fishing communities that were already among the nation's poorest.

The rebuilding effort has been painfully slow for most survivors, with millions poorer and many dangerously exposed to the next big storm as they still live in shanty homes along coastal areas.

In an outpouring of grief, thousands marched to mass grave sites scattered across the typhoon zone to offer flowers, light candles and say prayers.

Former Philippine first lady Imelda Marcos also attended the anniversary events. Her son, Ferdinand, namesake of the late dictator Ferdinand Marcos and popularly known as Bongbong, said it was his mother's first visit to her home province since it was wracked by the typhoon.