Public figures join plea for support for Disasters Emergency Committee (DEC) East Africa Crisis Appeal
Matt Baker, Brenda Blethyn, Tamsin Greig, Bill Nighy and Eddie Redmayne have thrown their backing behind the DEC’s East Africa Crisis Appeal by recording calls for support from the public.
Leading UK aid agencies yesterday announced a joint fundraising appeal to help millions of people facing hunger in the region.
Oscar winning actor Eddie Redmayne called on people to remember the plight of the hundreds of thousands of children in the region bearing the brunt of the crisis.
He said: “Hundreds have already died. Now 800,000 children under 5 are malnourished and at risk of starving to death.
“In South Sudan, Somalia, Kenya and Ethiopia the plight and suffering is on a scale never seen before. Where there were rivers, not even a drop of water now. Where there was livestock, now just carcasses and bones. People can't wait any longer.
“I’m proud to support the DEC because member charities are tackling this crisis together and they urgently need more support.”
Oscar nominee Brenda Blethyn has also given her support to the appeal and said: “The people of East Africa are in urgent need. The rains have failed; people have no food. Children’s suffering is unimaginable. Mothers search for dead seeds and grass. There is nothing else to eat. We desperately need to deliver aid.”
BBC The One Show presenter Matt Baker asked the public to show their support, urging people to give what they can to the appeal for South Sudan, Somalia, Kenya and Ethiopia, where drought and conflict have left millions of people in immediate need of help.
DEC member charities are already reaching millions of people across the region with food, medical care and clean water, but they need more support to continue helping those in urgent need.
DEC Chief Executive, Saleh Saeed, said: “The strong personal appeals made by British public figures highlight the desperate situations that families and children in East Africa are facing. Unless we act now the number of deaths will drastically increase. Don’t delay – please donate.”
To make a donation to the DEC East Africa Crisis Appeal visit www.dec.org.uk, call the 24-hour hotline on 0370 60 60 610, 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 East Africa, the emergency response and the fundraising efforts with the DEC on twitter: www.twitter.com/decappeal, on Facebook via www.facebook.com/
To watch Eddie Redmayne’s broadcast for the DEC East Africa Crisis Appeal visit:
To watch Matt Baker’s broadcast for the Africa Crisis Appeal visit:
- END -
Notes to editors:
- Media enquiries please call 020 7387 0200 or 07930 999 014 (out of hours).
- Bill Nighy is a Global Ambassador for DEC member charity Oxfam.
- Tamsin Greig is an Ambassador for DEC member charity Tearfund.
- The DEC brings 13 leading UK aid charities together in times of crisis: ActionAid, Age International, British Red Cross, CAFOD, CARE International, Christian Aid, Concern Worldwide, Islamic Relief Worldwide, Oxfam, Plan International UK, Save the Children, Tearfund and World Vision; all collectively raising money to reach those in need quickly.
- All DEC agencies will support the appeal and are responding in East Africa.
- To make a postal donation make cheques payable to ‘DEC East Africa Crisis Appeal’ 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 East Africa 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.
