DEC launches Yemen Crisis Appeal

Press release 13 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

A major appeal is launched today (Tuesday) by the Disasters Emergency Committee to help people facing hunger in Yemen.

Clare Balding, Martin Clunes and Tom Hardy will front the television and radio appeals, which will be aired today. The appeals will be shown by all major UK broadcasters, including BBC, ITV, Channel 4, Channel 5 and Sky.

Twenty months of war have brought Yemen, already one of the poorest countries in the world, to breaking point. More than 7 million people in Yemen do not know where their next meal will come from and children are dying from malnutrition. 

The UK Government will match donations from members of the UK public up to a total value of £5 million in match funding.

In the midst of conflict, DEC member charities are reaching millions of people across the country with lifesaving aid, such as food, treatment for malnutrition and cash, but much more needs to be done to reach those in dire need.

DEC Chief Executive, Saleh Saeed, said:

“Now is the time to save lives in Yemen before it is too late. Children face the greatest risk of starvation – almost half a million infants and young children need immediate treatment for malnutrition. DEC members are already providing treatment for malnutrition, running mobile health teams, distributing emergency food and cash but they need funds to reach more people.”

DEC member charities, including the Red Cross, CARE International, Islamic Relief, Oxfam and Save the Children are already working across the whole country. While others, such as Christian Aid and Tearfund, are supporting activities of partner charities responding to the crisis.

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.

Stay up to date with developments in Yemen, the emergency response and the fundraising efforts with the DEC on twitter: www.twitter.com/decappeal; on Facebook via www.facebook.com/DisastersEmergencyCommittee or by following #YemenCrisis

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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.
  • 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.