Major aid agencies come together to launch Congo appeal in Scotland
NEWS CONFERENCE THURSDAY 20TH NOVEMBER
DANIELA NARDINI CALLS ON SCOTS TO DONATE TO SAVE LIVES
WHERE: Novotel hotel, Pitt Street, (near the junction with Bath Street), Glasgow.
WHEN: 10.30am on Thursday 20th November.
WHAT: News conference and photocall as leading Aid Agencies come together to launch a massive fundraising appeal to respond to the humanitarian crisis in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC).
The Chair of the Disasters Emergency Committee in Scotland, Mhairi Owens, will launch the DEC Congo Crisis Appeal. Award-winning Scots Actress, Daniela Nardini will call on Scots to back the appeal, and members of the Congolese community in Scotland will also attend to add their voice to the urgent need for donations to help save lives in their home country.
There will also be a live link to the DRC to get an up to the minute update on events from aid worker, Juliette Prodham, who grew up in Glasgow.
Following the news conference there will be a photocall involving giant letters spelling the DEC website address.
WHO: The Disasters Emergency Committee in Scotland includes, Christian Aid, Concern Worldwide, Help the Aged, Islamic Relief, Oxfam Scotland, Red Cross, Save the Children and Tearfund. Other DEC members are, Action Aid, CAFOD, Care International, Merlin and World Vision.
WHY: The recent upsurge in violence means the DRC is currently the worst place in the world to be a woman or a child. A quarter of a million people have fled their homes in recent weeks to escape fierce fighting, adding to the more than one million already displaced by violence. The DEC agencies are determined to meet the needs of those left homeless and vulnerable, but we need the public’s help.
To make a donation call 0370 60 60 900, go online to www.dec.org.uk or go into any high street bank, post office, Oxfam or Save the Children shop.
CONTACT: Malcolm Fleming: 0141 285 8854 / 0771 891 8346
Note. Video footage and photographs are available on request. A news release will be issued to accompany the news conference.
