The Disasters Emergency Committee has today announced that its Nepal Earthquake Appeal has reached the £50m mark, two weeks after it was officially launched.

The DEC, a coalition of 13 member charities, said that in the two weeks since its appeal was launched, agencies have been able to reach 310,000 people affected by the earthquake. DEC member agencies are providing aid work in more than 60 villages, camps and towns across 17 districts in the country.

The DEC said that of the £50m figure raised so far, members of the public have raised £45m, while the government has contributed £5m through UK Aid Match.

Saleh Saeed, chief executive of the DEC, said: “We are extremely grateful for the extraordinary generosity of UK public. Despite the immense challenges facing those affected and relief efforts, the response continues to grow day by day.

“Our members’ teams are working around the clock to provide essential aid. A huge amount of work remains to be done before the monsoon rains make the response even more difficult and the risk of disease outbreaks increase.”

With the rainy season beginning in Nepal in June, the DEC has said that the majority of the money donated has gone towards ensuring the those affected have access to clean drinking water, better shelter and sanitation facilities.

Dedicated food and prenatal care have also been provided by DEC member organisations to pregnant mothers and new born children in the area.

The DEC also announced that it has extended its aid response to three years, “to allow its member agencies to meet longer-term needs and help rebuild lives and livelihoods,” in the region after the emergency passes.

To donate to DEC's Earthquake Appeal click here.