DEC Syria Crisis Appeal reaches £4.2 million

Turkey-Syria Earthquake Appeal
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Members of the UK public have so far donated a generous £4.2 million to the DEC Syria Crisis Appeal. Over five million people affected by the fighting now need urgent humanitarian aid, with three million of those forced from their homes.

The 14 leading UK charities that are the DEC’s members will use the funds in Syria and the neighbouring countries, to which over one million refugees have fled.  They are already providing vital aid such as food, clean water, emergency shelter and medical care.  The money that has come in since the first appeals were broadcast on Thursday will enable the DEC members to provide more help to more people.
 
Fundraising will continue for the DEC appeal as the fighting intensifies and the number of people fleeing their homes and the country continues to increase. There are huge and urgent unmet needs, both in Syria and the surrounding countries as civilians continue to bear the brunt of the conflict. 
 
DEC Chief Executive, Saleh Saeed, said:
 
“We are very grateful for the generosity of the British public and the wonderful support of our partners that have made it possible to raise so much in such a short period of time. The money will help many people who have fled their homes in Syria.
 
“As more people are affected by the conflict and are forced to seek refuge elsewhere, in Syria and neighbouring countries, we want to highlight how important it is that we continue to fundraise as the needs are immense.”
 
The DEC Syria Crisis Appeal was launched on Thursday, 21 March with appeals from actor Rufus Sewell as well as actor, writer, comedian and broadcaster Michael Palin, journalist John McCarthy and actress Juliet Stephenson.
 
More than three million people have been forced to leave their homes by fighting in Syria. Two million have fled to other parts of the conflict-torn country. A further one million have escaped across the border to seek safety in neighbouring countries.  
 
The number of refugees fleeing the country has increased from 1,000 a day at the beginning of the year to more than 8,000 a day.  
 
The DEC tries not to compare either disasters or the appeals we run for them.
 
To make a donation to the DEC Syria Crisis Appeal visit http://www.dec.org.uk, call the 24 hour hotline on 0370 60 60 900, 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 Syria, the emergency response and the fundraising efforts with the DEC on twitter:http://twitter.com/decappeal or on Facebook via http://www.facebook.com/DisastersEmergencyCommittee.