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Tuesday 4th January 2005

The British public has donated a marvellous £76 million on the web and phones since the launch of the Disasters Emergency Committee joint agency Appeal at midday on Tuesday 28 December, and is on course to top £100 million.

Brendan Gormley, DEC Chief Executive said: "We believe that we are looking at well over £100 million in total, if donations keep coming in as they are. Our responsibility and promise to the public will be to spend that money wisely and well.

"The agencies are already bringing clean water, medicines, food and clothes to the survivors, but we need to keep the spirit of generosity alive. Heartrending stories of loss are still coming through. On every level people's lives have been devastated. DEC agencies are in there for the long haul, not only to save lives but also to rebuild livelihoods over the next couple of years, and we must keep the momentum up," continued Gormley.

The DEC is asking the public to keep donating from every source, including online, over the telephone hotline, by text, or at high street banks or post offices.

This 51st Appeal has evoked the largest public response in the history of the DEC, which was founded 41 years ago in 1963. The DEC believes the tsunami earthquake appeal could well be the largest show of support for any public Appeal in the UK.

Gormley said: "The generosity of ordinary people, public figures, celebrities, and the corporate sector has been overwhelming. They have recognised that this global catastrophe needs an extraordinary response. The aid agencies have so much to thank the public for, but much remains to be done and we still need more money."

DEC agencies are one part of a complex equation of relief and rehabilitation work. Governments and the UN have key responsibilities in coordinating worldwide reaction to the crisis, but the aid agencies have a special and crucial person-to-person role in getting aid to those who need it most.

ENDS

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