Over £23 million raised in 48 hours for DEC Philippines Typhoon Appeal
In just 48 hours over £23 million has been raised by the DEC Philippines Typhoon Appeal thanks to an overwhelming response from the public donating money online, through text and phone donations.
Typhoon Haiyan caused complete devastation and affected over 11 million people across nine regions in the Philippines – countless people have died.
DEC member agencies and their partners are working around the clock to deliver aid. Funds raised will be used on the ground to deliver food, water, household items and tarpaulin to provide much needed support to those affected by the destruction of Typhoon Haiyan.
• A CAFOD partner delivered nearly 50 relief packs with clothes and medicines to a local hospital in Cebu.
• The Red Cross has distributed water, water tanks, thousands of ready-to-eat meals, medicine, shelter, blankets, generators and body bags.
• World Vision has distributed food, water, and sanitation supplies to 4,500 people in northern Cebu in the town of Tabugan.
DEC Chief Executive Saleh Saeed said: “The public’s reaction to the sheer devastation that has been left by Typhoon Haiyan is quite simply remarkable. We are so grateful for the huge amount of donations which are vital to fund the work done by our emergency teams.”
“This has already become one of our most generously supported appeals but there is still a huge humanitarian need for help. Our priority is to provide food, water and shelter to those affected. Money raised will go directly to delivering these essentials and it’s important we continue to provide this support.”
The homes of hundreds of thousands have been damaged or destroyed and many roads and airports are unusable but relief operations are scaling up and aid is beginning to get through to those affected.
While the DEC doesn’t generally make comparisons – we are grateful for all public support -the amount donated this time has exceeded previous amounts raised in the East Africa Crisis, Haiti Earthquake, and Pakistan Floods Appeals for the first 48 hours of each appeal.
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 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
