The Disasters Emergency Committee (DEC) raises £15 million for the Venezuela Earthquake Appeal thanks to generous UK donations
The Disasters Emergency Committee (DEC) has announced it has now raised over £15 million for the appeal that launched two weeks ago to support families impacted by the devastating earthquakes in Venezuela.
His Majesty The King is among those who have generously donated to the appeal, and it has also received support from high-profile figures including Zayn Malik, New Order, Paloma Faith, Dermot O’Leary and Bill Nighy, whose voice could be heard today appealing for donations to the DEC across London Underground stations.
Fourteen DEC charities including British Red Cross and International Rescue Committee are working alongside local partners to deliver critical support to some of the tens of thousands of people who have lost homes, family and livelihoods.
With many still living in makeshift tents, they are working around the clock to provide food, clean water and medical care, as well as urgently needed mental health support as people begin to process what they have been through.
Saleh Saeed, Chief Executive of the DEC, said:
“I’ve just returned from Venezuela where I saw first hand the devastation that has been caused by the earthquakes. In the epicentre La Guaira, entire streets of homes have been reduced to rubble, families are living in tents, and the scale of loss is hard to comprehend.
What struck me most was not only the urgent need for food, shelter and clean water, but the long-term emotional toll this disaster will leave behind. DEC member charities and their local partners are providing both immediate relief and essential psychosocial support to children and their families. Donations are providing a lifeline. If you can, please give now.”
Thomas Brewer, Operational Co-Ordinator at the Red Cross Hospital in La Guaira, supported by DEC charity British Red Cross, said:
“Right now, we are entering a second phase of the crisis where people are starting to understand what their situation is. We are treating a lot of people that are in a state of shock and have psychological issues because they have lost everything. The needs are massive and they continue to grow every day. Please donate now so we can reach more people and more communities with essential care.”
Notes to editors:
Media enquiries please call 020 7387 0200 or 07930 999 014 (out of hours) or press1@dec.org.uk
DEC Chief Executive Saleh Saeed recently returned from Venezuela and is available for interview, please contact: sgard@dec.org.uk.
A collection of images and video footage of the aftermath of the earthquake and DEC charities responding is available here.
About the DEC: The DEC brings together 15 leading UK aid charities at times of crisis overseas to raise funds quickly and efficiently. In these times of crisis, people in life-and-death situations need our help and our mission is to save, protect and rebuild lives through effective humanitarian response. The DEC’s 15 member charities are: Action Against Hunger, ActionAid UK, Age International, British Red Cross, CAFOD, CARE International UK, Christian Aid, Concern Worldwide UK, International Rescue Committee UK, Islamic Relief Worldwide, Oxfam GB, Plan International UK, Save the Children UK, Tearfund and World Vision UK.
Fourteen of the DEC’s 15 member charities are either responding or planning to respond in Venezuela and will receive funds from this appeal.
The appeal includes £2 million matched by the UK Government through its UK Aid Match scheme.
Through UK Aid Match the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO) gives the British public the opportunity to have a say in how the UK aid budget is spent whilst boosting the impact of the very best British charities to change and save the lives of some of the world’s poorest and most vulnerable people.
UK Aid Match has increased the impact of a number of DEC appeals to help those in need around the world, including most recently in the Myanmar Earthquake Appeal, the Turkey-Syria Earthquake Appeal and the Middle East Humanitarian Appeal.
Enquiries about UK Aid Match and UK Government support for Venezuela should be directed to the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office Newsdesk. Please email newsdesk@fcdo.gov.uk.
How to donate:
Online: dec.org.uk
Phone: 0370 60 60 900
Text to give/SMS: text SUPPORT to 70150 to donate £10.
Donate over the counter at any high street bank or post office or send a cheque by post to: DEC Venezuela Earthquake Appeal, PO Box 999, London EC3A 3AA.