ReliefWeb

The Disasters Emergency Committee (DEC) appeal to help people affected by Cyclone Idai has raised £18 million since launching on Thursday 21 March. £8 million was raised in the appeal’s first 24 hours, with a further £10 million added to the total in the three days since.

The UK Government matched pound for pound £4 million donated by the public to the DEC Cyclone Idai Appeal.

Cyclone Idai swept through Mozambique, Malawi and Zimbabwe more than a week ago, leaving behind a trail of destruction, and killing more than 700 people. Strong winds and widespread flooding ripped apart roads, bridges, houses, schools and health facilities and submerged vast swathes of agricultural land.

DEC Chief Executive Saleh Saeed said: “As always the British public has been hugely generous, and we are so very grateful for their donations. The full scale of the disaster in Mozambique, Malawi and Zimbabwe has yet to become clear but we do know that this is developing into one of the most pressing humanitarian emergencies in the world at the moment. Whilst conditions remain challenging, aid is getting through and DEC members are working hard to reach those who so desperately need help.”

DEC member charities are working closely with national partners to support the rescue and relief effort, delivering clean water, emergency shelter materials and blankets, food such as pulses and maize flour, and urgent health assistance.

The appeal has received the backing of a number of high-profile figures on Twitter including Raymond Blanc, Alesha Dixon, JB Gill, Bear Grylls, Shobna Gulati, Myleene Klass, Annie Lennox, Adrian Lester, Simon Pegg, James Purefoy and Emma Watson.

Stay up to date with developments in the affected areas, the emergency response and the fundraising efforts with the DEC on twitter: www.twitter.com/decappeal or on Facebook via www.facebook.com/DisastersEmergencyCommittee

ENDS

Notes to editors:

Media enquiries please call 020 7387 0200 or 07930 999 014 (out of hours).

UK Aid Match enquiries should be directed to the Department for International Development. Please call 0207 023 0600 (24 hour).

At times of very great need, the Disasters Emergency Committee (DEC) brings together a unique alliance of the UK’s leading aid agencies and broadcasters to maximise fundraising and quickly deliver effective emergency relief. The DEC brings together 14 major UK aid agencies: Action Against Hunger, Action Aid UK, Age International, British Red Cross, CAFOD, CARE International UK, Christian Aid, Concern Worldwide UK, Islamic Relief Worldwide, Oxfam GB, Plan International UK, Save the Children UK, Tearfund and World Vision UK.

Through UK Aid Match the Department for International Development gives the British public the opportunity to decide how the UK aid budget is spent and support people in desperate need in Mozambique, Malawi and Zimbabwe by matching their donations pound-for-pound up to £4 million. UK Aid Match has increased the impact of a number of DEC appeals to help those in need around the world, including most recently to support people affected by the earthquake and tsunami in Indonesia in 2018.

To make a postal donation make cheques payable to ‘DEC Cyclone Idai Appeal’ and mail to ‘PO Box 999, London, EC3A 3AA’.

Donations can be made at any high street bank and at Post Office counters.

To donate £5 text SUPPORT to 70000. Texts cost £5 and the whole £5 goes to the DEC CYCLONE IDAI APPEAL. You must be 16 or over and please ask the bill payer's permission. For full terms and conditions and more information go to www.dec.org.uk.

• £30 can provide blankets to keep two families warm.

• £50 could provide a family with food for one month.

• £100 could help build toilet and washing facilities for families who lost their homes.