DEC East Africa Crisis Appeal tops £40 million

Press release 29 March 2017

The Disasters Emergency Committee (DEC) appeal for East Africa has raised more than £40m to date. Since the appeal was opened two weeks ago by British figures -  including Bill Nighy, Sir Mo Farrah, Eddie Redmayne and Brenda Blethyn - a steady stream of donations has been flowing in from the public at a rate of over £2,000 per minute. 

Donations have been received from The Queen and Prince Charles as well as companies, and faith groups. Across the UK, the general public have been busking, holding bake sales, running marathons, shaking collection buckets and raising awareness for the 16 million people across East Africa who are on the brink of starvation and in urgent need of food, water and medical treatment.

Employers have been matching employee donations, trusts and foundations have rallied to the call and children as young as four-year-old Henry, have even been donating their pocket money.

DEC Chief Executive Saleh Saeed said: “It’s been so inspiring to see how the British Public has responded to this desperate need and to hear the passion and creativity they have put into fundraising. I cannot thank everyone enough for their support.

“Our 13 member charities are already on the ground delivering vital life-saving assistance to some of the worst affected people. We are now getting reports of how food aid is getting through. For example, in Kenya, children like Cecilia and 300 families are receiving food at the Kambi Ya Juu food distribution centre.

“All the money raised by the DEC appeal will provide millions of people in desperate need with vital food, water and medical treatment. Every donation makes a huge difference, so if you haven’t had a chance to support please don’t delay, donate today.”

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.

-Ends-

 

Notes to editors:

Media enquiries please call 020 7387 0200 or 07930 999 014 (out of hours)

  • The DEC brings 13 leading UK aid charities together in times of crisis: ActionAid, Age International, British Red Cross, CAFOD, CARE International, 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.
  • Keira Knightley Matt Baker, Brenda Blethyn, Tamsin Greig, Bill Nighy and Eddie Redmayne have backed the DEC’s East Africa Crisis Appeal by recording calls for support from the public.
  • The UK Government has matched pound for pound £10 million donated by the public to the DEC East Africa Crisis Appeal through its Aid Match Fund.
  • Donations can be made at any high street bank and at Post Office counters. To make a postal donation make cheques payable to ‘DEC’ and mail to ‘PO Box 999, London, EC3A 3AA’.
  • To donate £5 by text send the word SUPPORT to 70000. The full £5 will go to the DEC East Africa 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.
  • DEC will be hosting Facebook live sessions during the week, featuring aid workers and journalists, who will be discussing their experiences from recent visits to East Africa.