DEC: Launch night of Niger Appeal raises £5.4m
3 August 2005Over 130,000 people made donations totalling £5.4m to the Disasters Emergency Committee (DEC) Niger Crisis Appeal last night. The Appeal was launched as famous faces and volunteers answered phones and took donations at the live call centre in London.
Model and beauty columnist Melinda Messenger and classical musician and former Hear’Say member Myleene Klass were among the volunteers who took calls from people donating to the Appeal.
As the Appeal opened for telephone and online donations, actor Dougray Scott and broadcaster Jeremy Vine featured on TV and radio appeals.
Ten of the UK’s top international aid agencies have joined forces to provide emergency aid to around 2.5 million people who are struggling to survive as a result of severe food shortages. Around 800,000 children are suffering from hunger. Neighbouring countries Mauritania, Mali and Burkina Faso are also at risk.
Donations to the DEC Appeal are funding member agencies’ relief programmes, including the purchase and distribution of food, animal fodder, seeds and medicines.
As the Appeal opened for telephone and online donations, actor Dougray Scott and broadcaster Jeremy Vine featured on TV and radio appeals.
Ten of the UK’s top international aid agencies have joined forces to provide emergency aid to around 2.5 million people who are struggling to survive as a result of severe food shortages. Around 800,000 children are suffering from hunger. Neighbouring countries Mauritania, Mali and Burkina Faso are also at risk.
Donations to the DEC Appeal are funding member agencies’ relief programmes, including the purchase and distribution of food, animal fodder, seeds and medicines.
Commenting on the generosity shown on the launch night, DEC chief executive Brendan Gormley said:
“We are very moved as the British public once again dug deep. The money already raised will mean that DEC members can increase their activities in distributing food and medical supplies to those most in need. There are huge unmet needs in Niger and the neighbouring countries of Mauritania, Mali and Burkina Faso and we are urging people to continue donating to ensure that the DEC members can tackle the long-term challenges in this region of chronic poverty.
Donations to the DEC Niger Crisis Appeal can be made at: www.dec.org.uk, or by phoning the Disasters Emergency Committee on 0870 60 60 900. Donations can also be made by going into any high street post office or bank.
For further information please contact the DEC press office on 0207 387 0200
Notes to Editors
The Disasters Emergency Committee is made up of the UK’s leading international development and relief charities. Those involved in the Niger Crisis Appeal are: ActionAid, British Red Cross, Care International UK, Christian Aid, Concern, Islamic Relief, Oxfam, Save the Children, Tearfund and World Vision.
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