DEC Philippines Typhoon Appeal raises more than £1.5million in first 15 hours
DEC Philippines Typhoon Appeal raises more than £1.5million in first 15 hours
More than £1.5million has already been donated to the Disasters Emergency Committee (DEC) appeal to help people affected by the devastating Philippines typhoon through online donations alone, the organisation said today.
Although the appeal was only launched 15 hours ago – and the main appeal films are yet to air on the BBC, ITV, Channel 4, Sky and Channel Five – the DEC said it had been “overwhelmed” by the generosity of the British public.
DEC Chief Executive Saleh Saeed said: “We have been overwhelmed by people’s generosity. While we don’t like to compare appeals, to raise such a huge amount of money in so little time – even before the celebrity-backed appeals have aired – is quite staggering.
“It is clear the British public has been moved by the stories we are hearing from the Philippines – people struggling to survive with no food, water or shelter. The more money we raise, the more our member agencies can do on the ground to help people rebuild their lives.”
The DEC appeals will go out live tonight on BBC, ITV, Channel 4, Sky, Channel Five and other broadcast outlets, fronted by TV presenter and musician Myleene Klass (ITV) and presenter Kirsty Young (BBC). The appeals will be broadcast at the end of evening news programmes.
To make a donation to the DEC Philippines Typhoon 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 the Philippines, 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 £1.5million figure has been raised through online donations alone between 12am and 3pm today. As such the figure cannot be compared to previous appeal donations.
• The DEC brings 14 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.
• All of our members will support the appeal and 13 of our 14 members are responding either directly or through partner organisations.
• 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 Philippines Typhoon 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
