Postal donations flood in as Sudan Appeal on course to raise £15 million

28 July 2004 Celebrities including Natasha Kaplinksy and Joanna Lumley have been appealing to the British public for donations for the past week through press and TV ads. The need in the Darfur region of Sudan and over the border in neighbouring Chad is immense. The UN recently estimated that there are between 1 million people who have fled their villages as a result of violence in Darfur and 160,000 refugees in eastern Chad. DEC Chief Executive Brendan Gormley said today: “we are really moved by the response so far, but still more money is needed. Costs continue to rise as aid agencies reach more of those who are suffering. Sadly, conditions are only likely to deteriorate in the weeks and months to come with the onset of torrential rain, which complicates the supply of aid to the camps and leaves people vulnerable to disease." The money raised by the DEC appeal will help provide those fleeing the violence in Sudan and eastern Chad with shelter, clean water and sanitation. It will also provide emergency food aid and basic items such as water buckets, blankets and soap.

To make a donation or find out more information about the DEC visit our website at www.dec.org.uk, send a cheque/postal order to made payable to the: DEC Sudan Emergency, PO BOX 999, London EC3 or call 0870 60 60 900

The DEC charities benefiting from the Sudan Emergency are: British Red Cross, CAFOD, CARE International UK, Christian Aid, Concern, Help the Aged, Merlin, Oxfam, Save the Children, Tearfund and World Vision.

Media Enquiries For further information please contact: Clare McNeil at or at 0207 387 0200