DEC appeal raises £12 million for the East Africa Crisis in one day
Drought and conflict have left 16 million people on the brink of starvation and in urgent need of food, water and medical treatment.
People are already dying in South Sudan and Somalia. In Kenya, the government has declared a national emergency and Ethiopia is battling a new wave of drought following the strongest El Niño on record.
DEC member charities are already reaching millions of people across the four countries with lifesaving aid, such as food, treatment for malnutrition and cash, but much more needs to be done to reach those in desperate need.
DEC Chief Executive Saleh Saeed said: “People in the UK have, once again, shown their huge generosity and we’re very grateful for their response to the devastating humanitarian crisis in East Africa.
“The powerful TV appeals highlighted the desperate situation of families, children and older people. This has really struck a chord with the public, who have recognised the urgency of the crisis.
“The needs are huge. We would urge people to continue demonstrating compassion and generosity so that DEC member charities can continue to save lives and reduce the suffering of people in East Africa. Please don’t delay, donate.”
The £12 million funds raised is made up of £7 million given by the UK public by text, phone and online, and £5 million from the UK Government through the Aid Match Fund.
What your money could buy:
. £25 could provide a month’s supply of life-saving peanut paste to a malnourished child
. £60 could provide clean drinking water for two families for a month
. £100 could provide supplies to a clinic treating severely malnourished children for a week.
To make a donation to the DEC East Africa Crisis Appeal visit: www.dec.org.uk, call the 24-hour hotline on 0370 60 60 610, donate over the counter at any high street bank or post office, or send a cheque. You can also donate £5 by texting the word SUPPORT to 70000.