DEC Launches Nepal Earthquake Appeal
A major appeal is launched today (Tues) by leading UK aid agencies to help survivors of the devastating Nepal earthquake.
The DEC Nepal Earthquake Appeal, fronted by actress Joanna Lumley, will be shown by all major UK broadcasters including the BBC, ITV, Channel 4, Channel 5 and Sky tonight.
Money raised will support the efforts of DEC members to reach families affected by Saturday’s 7.8 quake which struck west of the capital Kathmandu.
Ms Lumley says: “Like so many others watching the shocking images from Nepal over the last few days, I’m deeply saddened by events and my thoughts are with all those struggling to survive.
“The Nepalese are a resilient people but this catastrophe has hit them very hard. They’re desperately in need of life-saving help and I hope British people will support us.”
The death toll has risen above 3,000 and is expected to rise still further with 5.3 million people living in areas hit by severe shaking.
Aftershocks have been felt with remote villages still to be reached, cut-off by landslides and communications wiped out.
All 13 DEC member agencies have joined the appeal and are starting to get life-saving aid to those most in need.
The DEC appeal will go out live tonight (Tues) on BBC, ITV, Channel 4, Sky, Channel Five and other broadcast outlets. The TV appeals will be broadcast primarily at the end of the evening news programmes.
The first £5 million of public donations to the DEC appeal on the Ebola outbreak will be matched by UK aid through the Department for International Development.
DEC chief executive Saleh Saeed says: “The sheer scale of this emergency and the effort required to help the people of Nepal recover is only now becoming clear.”
“Survivors are in need of medical help, food, water and shelter. In many cases they’ve lost everything and our members are ready to help them not just survive but to rebuild their lives.”
To make a donation to the Nepal Earthquake 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 in Nepal, the emergency response and the DEC’s fundraising efforts on twitter: http://twitter.com/decappeal or on Facebook via http://www.facebook.com/DisastersEmergencyCommittee
What your money will buy:
• £25 Water purification tablets for ten families for a month
• £50 Feed a family for two weeks
• £100 Emergency shelter and bedding for one family
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, Oxfam, Plan UK, Save the Children, Tearfund and World Vision; all collectively raising money to reach those in need quickly.
• All of our members will support the appeal.
• 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 Nepal Earthquake 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)
