Inside a DEC Appeal
The Disasters Emergency Committee (DEC) draws on many years of experience to plan and deliver each appeal, striving to ensure that the relevant support reaches the people who need it, when they need it.
Assessment
In the event of a major overseas emergency, The Secretariat alert the Rapid Response Network (RRN) to help to launch a DEC appeal. At the same time, we consult with members to establish the level of humanitarian need and the level of funds are required. In our experience, disasters fall into one of three broad categories:
- One-off Catastrophes
Such as earthquakes, which have an immediate impact on local communities. As the 2004 Tsunami Earthquake Appeal showed, the general public can be extremely generous in donating to help people survive a major catastrophe. After the initial humanitarian assistance phase, members may need longer-term funding to help people rebuild their homes and villages. - Slow-onset Humanitarian Crises
Such as the recent crisis in Niger, which develop over time. For example, severe food shortages caused by complex environmental and economic factors may develop gradually over months or even years. The situation may be affected by political factors. - Complex political Emergencies
Such as the crisis in Sudan and Chad, which often require a longer-term intervention. This kind of humanitarian crisis may not attract much, or any, media interest until the situation reaches critical point. In the meantime, it is often difficult for members to raise funds for vital humanitarian projects.
Decision Making
DEC appeals are reserved for major overseas emergencies where substantial humanitarian needs cannot be met through the usual coping mechanisms. Each DEC appeal has three criteria:
- The scale and urgency of the crisis necessitate swift international humanitarian assistance.
- Some or all DEC members are in a position to provide rapid, effective humanitarian assistance at a scale that justifies a DEC appeal.
- There is sufficient public awareness of, and sympathy for, the emergency, providing reasonable grounds to conclude that a DEC appeal would be successful.
Engagement
If all our appeal criteria are met, the DEC and RRN launch and coordinate a high-profile fundraising appeal. An official launch date is agreed and the DEC Secretariat informs the DEC agencies headquarters and offices in the nations.
Careful coordination and facilitation ensure the appeal communicates clear, consistent messages to the public, in order to achieve widespread publicity and generate maximum donation income. The DEC makes sure people know how to donate and are able to do so via their preferred secure method, including by telephone, online or in person at a collection point. A DEC appeal is normally promoted for two weeks. Each appeal fund usually remains open for six to nine months.
