DEC Ebola crisis appeal raises £14 million

Press release 5 February 2015

A staggering £14 million has now been raised for the Disasters Emergency Committee (DEC) appeal to help people affected by the devastating Ebola crisis in West Africa through web, postal and phone donations, and UK government support, the organisation said today.
 
This total has been raised a week after the official launch of the unprecedented DEC Appeal. The DEC said they are “extremely pleased” to see the generous support received from the UK public.
 
Saleh Saeed, Chief Executive of the DEC, said: 
 
“It is heart-warming to see the UK public generously supporting our unprecedented appeal for the Ebola Crisis in West Africa, so many people have rallied behind the appeal, and every donation we receive makes an immense impact on the lives of those affected by the crisis. We really can’t thank people enough for their kindness and support.”
 
“We are also extremely grateful for the kind support of the UK Government for the aid match funding which has been a significant boost to the Appeal.”
 
“Our member agencies are actively involved in providing food packages for people in quarantine, handing out life saving hygiene packs including soap, bleach, and a bucket and providing information and advice to raise awareness of signs and symptoms – but there is still so much more to do.”
 
DEC member agencies are scaling up their aid efforts in West Africa where they have already helped over 2.5m people affected by the Ebola crisis, including with information from wide scale information campaigns. They are reaching some of the worst-affected and most remote areas of Sierra Leone and Liberia.  
 
So far, almost 5,000 people have been killed by the virus and more than 13,000 have been infected. But experts say the real figures could be far higher due to under-reporting. 
 
The £14m figure raised includes £5m aid match from the UK Government. 
 
To make a donation to the DEC Ebola Crisis Appeal visit http://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.
 
Stay up to date with developments on the Ebola crisis, the emergency response and the DEC’s fundraising efforts on twitter: http://twitter.com/decappeal or on Facebook via http://www.facebook.com/DisastersEmergencyCommittee
 
ENDS
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, Christian Aid, Concern Worldwide, Islamic Relief, Merlin, Oxfam, Plan UK, Save the Children, Tearfund and World Vision; all collectively raising money to reach those in need quickly.
  • Donations can be made at any high street bank and at post office counters.
  • To donate £5 by text the word SUPPORT to 70000.  The full £5 will go to the DEC Ebola Crisis Appeal. Donors must be 16 years or over and have the bill payer’s permission. Texts are free and donations will be added to the bill.
  • Donations can be made at www.dec.org.uk or 0370 60 60 900

DEC press office 020 7387 0200 or 07930 999 014 (out of hours)