DEC Indonesia appeal raises £6m in first day

05 Oct 2018 News

The Disasters Emergency Committee has announced that its Indonesia appeal has raised £6m in its first day, with donations from the public still coming in. 

The DEC launched the appeal overnight on 4 October for the survivors of the earthquake and tsunami which struck the central Indonesian island of Sulawesi a week ago.

The death toll for the disaster has now risen to over 1,500, while more than 200,000 people have been left in need of food, clean drinking water and shelter. 

The UK government has matched the first £2m donated from the public. 

In a statement, the DEC said its member charities and partners are “working closely with the Indonesian authorities and are providing food, clean water, first aid and shelter, as well as helping survivors to cope with the trauma of the last seven days.”

Saleh Saeed, chief executive of the DEC, said: “We are extremely grateful for donations from people in the UK who, once again, have shown huge generosity. We also thank the UK Government who matched pound for pound the first £2m donated by the public. We are also extremely appreciative to our broadcast partners for airing the appeal launch which has reached millions of viewers and listeners.

“The situation in Indonesia remains desperate and hundreds of thousands of people urgently need food, clean water, shelter as well as support in dealing with the trauma they have experienced.  As the full impact of the disaster unfolds, DEC member charities and their partners are ready to help devastated communities to rebuild their lives.

“We would urge people to continue donating. Please donate now.”

Donations can be made to the appeal via the DEC website here

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