Amount raised for DEC Indonesia Tsunami Appeal climbs to £10 million

Press release 9 October 2018

Media Contacts: 020 7387 0200 or 07930 999 014 (out of hours)

Donations can be made at www.dec.org.uk or by calling 0370 60 60 900

** Spokespeople, recent photos and footage are available **

For immediate release

Amount raised for DEC Indonesia Tsunami Appeal climbs to £10 million

The Disasters Emergency Committee (DEC) appeal for survivors of the earthquake and tsunami in Indonesia has raised £10 million since launching on Thursday 4 October, with donations from the public still coming in as the full scale of the disaster continued to unfold over the weekend.

The appeal has received the backing of a number of high-profile figures on Twitter, including Sir Tom Jones, Sharon Osbourne, Jamie Oliver, Wayne Rooney and Bear Grylls.

British Red Cross Ambassador, Star Trek and Harry Potter actor Jason Isaacs, who is supporting the appeal, said:

"The devastation from the earthquake and tsunami in Sulawesi is on such an unimaginable scale that the temptation is to turn away, feeling hopeless.

“But the fact is that right there on the ground are an enormous number of people trying to help deliver the basic stuff of life to hundreds of thousands of survivors who've lost everything – loved ones, homes, their livelihoods, everything.

“I hope that anyone who can supports the DEC appeal right now, when it's needed."

Liverpool FC has also added its weight to the appeal, donating the players’ match-worn signed shirts from last week’s UEFA Champions League game with Napoli.

The UK Government matched pound for pound the first £2 million donated by the public to the DEC Indonesia Tsunami Appeal.

More than 1,944 people are now confirmed dead, with more than 5,000 feared missing, and 200,000 survivors are in urgent need of humanitarian assistance.

DEC member charities and their partners are working closely with the Indonesian authorities and are providing food, clean water, first aid and shelter, as well as helping survivors to cope with the trauma they have suffered.

To make a donation to the DEC Indonesia Tsunami Appeal, visit www.dec.org.uk, call the 24-hour hotline on 0370 60 60 900, donate over the counter at any high street bank or post office, or send a cheque. To donate £5, text SUPPORT to 70000. Texts cost £5 and the whole £5 goes to the DEC INDONESIA TSUNAMI APPEAL. You must be 16 or over and please ask the bill payer's permission.

Stay up to date with developments in Indonesia, the emergency response and the fundraising efforts with the DEC on twitter: www.twitter.com/decappeal or on Facebook via www.facebook.com/DisastersEmergencyCommittee

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Notes to editors:

  • Media enquiries please call 020 7387 0200 or 07930 999 014 (out of hours)
  • At times of very great need, the Disasters Emergency Committee (DEC) brings together a unique alliance of the UK’s leading aid agencies and broadcasters to maximise fundraising and quickly deliver effective emergency relief. The DEC brings together 14 major UK aid agencies: Action Against Hunger, ActionAid UK, Age International, British Red Cross, CAFOD, CARE International UK, Christian Aid, Concern Worldwide UK, Islamic Relief Worldwide, Oxfam GB, Plan International UK, Save the Children UK, Tearfund and World Vision UK.
  • UK Government match funding will go directly to the DEC. This funding has doubled the value of the public’s own donations up to £2 million and will ensure that charities working on the ground can reach even more people in need.
  • Funds raised will go towards humanitarian assistance in Indonesia, Sulawesi Island.
  • To make a postal donation make cheques payable to ‘DEC Indonesia Tsunami Appeal’ and mail to ‘PO Box 999, London, EC3A 3AA’.
  • Donations can be made at any high street bank and at Post Office counters. To donate £5 text SUPPORT to 70000. Texts cost £5 and the whole £5 goes to the DEC INDONESIA TSUNAMI APPEAL. You must be 16 or over and please ask the bill payer's permission. For full terms and conditions and more information go to www.dec.org.uk Shelter - £30 could provide emergency shelter for one family Food - £50 could provide a family with food for a month Hygiene - £100 could help build toilet and washing facilities for a family
  • Appeal image can be downloaded here. Further photos, footage and spokespeople are available.
  • Appeal film can be downloaded here.