UN: We'll Likely Never Know Exact Typhoon Death Toll

The most recent Typhoon Haiyan death toll is 3,976, but the UN warns we may never truly know how many died in the devastating Philippines storm. Even after a final figure is released, "it is unlikely we'll ever know the exact total," a rep from the Asia Foundation tells NBC News. Making things particularly difficult is the Philippines' decentralized government, plus a lack of radio communications.

Then there's the fact that destroyed roads and airports, downed power and telephone lines, and intermittent cellphone coverage are combining to make it difficult to reach some areas. And in the hardest-hit places, citizens are more concerned with surviving—with food and fuel in short supply and millions of people homeless—than with counting their dead. Many bodies were also likely swept out to sea and will never be found. Meanwhile, a government official estimated reconstruction could cost $5.8 billion, Reuters reports. (More typhoon stories.)