Carnival Corporation and Miami Heat have raised $1.5 million for the relief efforts in communities affected by Typhoon Haiyan – $500,000 more than their initial pledge.

The donation, from Carnival Corp, its 10 cruise brands, the Carnival Foundation, Miami Heat and a donation from the Micky and Madeleine Arison Family Foundations will be given to five charities.

Carnival said $500,000 will go to Unicef, $300,000 to Save the Children, $250,000 to Direct Relief, $150,000 to International Red Cross and $50,000 to the International Medical Corps.

Carnival Corp’s individual brands are also providing nearly $350,000 in funds – including $100,000 each from Carnival Cruise Line and the Costa Group – to support Filipino employees and families impacted by the typhoon.

Micky Arison (pictured), chairman of Carnival Corp and owner of Miami Heat, said: “The typhoon in the Philippines caused massive destruction, having a tragic impact on people and families there, including those members of our extended Carnival family who reside in the region.

“We evaluated a number of worthy organisations that are doing extraordinary relief work.”