DEC Ebola Crisis Appeal raises £17 million

An outstanding £17 million has been donated to 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 “incredible” amount is helping DEC member agencies to intensify their aid efforts in West Africa, where they have already helped 8 million people through humanitarian activities funded by a variety of sources, including DEC donations.
 
The UK Government has matched the first £5 million given by the public and their contribution makes up £5 million of the total £17 million raised so far.  
 
Saleh Saeed, Chief Executive of the DEC, said: 
 
“The response of the British public has been absolutely incredible. We are extremely grateful for everyone who has shown kindness and generosity by getting behind our unprecedented appeal for the Ebola crisis. 
 
“Our member agencies have already done a great deal to help stop the spread of the virus and support those caught up in the crisis – providing medical supplies, educating communities, distributing food aid, and supporting safe and dignified burials. However, there is still so much more to do. 
 
“Every pound donated will help us to make a big impact in some of the worst affected areas. 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.”
 
So far, almost 5,000 people have been killed by the virus and more than 13,000 have been infected. However, experts say the real figures could be far higher due to under-reporting 
 
DEC member agencies have so far supported more than 4.8 million people in Sierra Leone, more than 1.7 million people in Liberia and more than 1.1 million in Guinea: this includes people targeted with vital health education from wide-scale information campaig