We ensure at least 50 per cent of appeal funds forwarded to our member agencies go on supplies and materials, although the figure is typically more than 60 per cent.
The remainder pays for aid support, including employing staff who may organise food distributions in Pakistan or run medical programmes to prevent children dying of cholera in Haiti. Support costs can also include transport and monitoring the effectiveness of aid programmes.
Effective responses
With the DEC’s Pakistan Appeal following monsoon rains in the country in 2010, 60 per cent of funds raised were spent on supplies and materials, including tarpaulins for use as temporary shelters, blankets, cooking utensils and food, after 12 million people saw floods destroy or damage their homes.
The DEC secretariat is allowed a maximum expenditure of five per cent of appeal funds, but typically spends about three per cent, contributing the remainder to our members’ relief efforts.
Member agencies may take seven per cent of funds raised for their own management support costs in the UK or overseas to ensure that responses are well-run and effective.
We detail the proportion our members spend on different types of aid in the Expenditure by Sector of Activity sections of our annual reports.
