DEC announces Yemen Crisis Appeal

Press release 12 December 2016

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

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

The Disasters Emergency Committee today [Monday 12 December] announced it will launch an appeal tomorrow [Tuesday 13 December] for people facing hunger in Yemen. More than 7 million people in Yemen do not know where their next meal will come from and children are dying from malnutrition.

The DEC Yemen Crisis Appeal is to launch on all major UK Broadcasters including the BBC, ITV, Channel 4, Channel 5 and Sky tomorrow [Tuesday].

Twenty months of war have brought Yemen, already one of the poorest countries in the world, to breaking point. DEC member charities are reaching millions of people across the country with lifesaving aid, such as food and treatment for malnutrition, but much more needs to be done to help those in dire need.

The donation line opens at midday [Monday] on 0370 60 60 900 and the website www.dec.org.uk.

To make a donation to the DEC Yemen Crisis 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. You can also donate £5 by texting the word SUPPORT to 70000.

Operational note: The DEC will not be providing spokespeople today [Monday] although individual DEC member charities are handling media enquiries. The DEC will provide more detailed information about the appeal as soon as possible and spokespeople will be available from tomorrow [Tuesday] morning.

Stay up to date with developments in Yemen, 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:

  • The DEC brings 13 leading UK aid charities together in times of crisis: ActionAid UK, Age International, British Red Cross, CAFOD, CARE International UK, Christian Aid, Concern Worldwide, Islamic Relief, Oxfam, Plan International UK, Save the Children, Tearfund and World Vision; all collectively raising money to reach those in need quickly.
  • Seven DEC member charities are already responding to the Yemen crisis and three more are planning to support the response through in-country partners.
  • To make a postal donation make cheques payable to ‘DEC’ 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 by text send the word SUPPORT to 70000. The full £5 will go to the DEC Yemen Crisis Appeal. Donors must be 16 years or over and have bill payers permission. Texts are free and donations will be added to the bill.