DEC raises £6m for Burma cyclone in first week

Fundraising | 28 May 2008

The DEC’s appeal to help victims of the Burma cyclone has raised £6m in its first week.

The figure has been reached thanks to significant donations from the Queen and author JK Rowling, and despite media reports that the country’s ruling junta is preventing aid from reaching those in need.

The DEC has been keen to highlight that its member agencies have been providing assistance to thousands of people across the affected area, including Tearfund which has given food, water, shelter and medical supplies to 23,000 people and the Red Cross, which has distributed tarpaulins, mosquito nets, malaria pills and water.

The Red Cross has also successfully sent 10 aid flights to the country, all of which have been delivered.

“We’d like to thank the generosity people have shown so far,” said Brendan Gormley, chief executive of the Disasters Emergency Committee.

“It’s important to remember that our DEC members are working on the ground now and more aid is getting through by the day. We want to encourage people to continue donating so our agencies can reach more people who are in desperate need.”

Warnings on fake charity websites

An email that used the disaster to direct people to fake charity websites had also caused fears that people would be put off from donating.

To counter this, both the Charity Commission and GuideStar issued guidance for the public on how to maximise the value of their donations.

Directory: Disasters Emergency Committee

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