The Disasters Emergency Committee has raised £19m for its Nepal Earthquake Appeal following a televised broadcast last night.

Over 5,000 people are now known to have died in the 7.9 magnitude earthquake which struck Nepal on Saturday and caused an avalanche on Mount Everest.

An appeal to provide support was fronted by actor and comedian Joanna Lumley and went out across all major UK broadcasters yesterday evening, including the BBC, ITV, Channel 4, Channel 5 and Sky.

Speaking yesterday, when the appeal was officially launched, Lumley said: “Like so many others watching the shocking images from Nepal over the last few days, I’m deeply saddened by events and my thoughts are with all those struggling to survive.

“The Nepalese are a resilient people but this catastrophe has hit them very hard. They’re desperately in need of life-saving help and I hope British people will support us.”

Saleh Saeed, chief executive of the DEC, which brings 13 leading UK aid charities together in times of crisis, said: “The sheer scale of this emergency and the effort required to help the people of Nepal recover is only now becoming clear.”

 “Survivors are in need of medical help, food, water and shelter. In many cases they’ve lost everything and our members are ready to help them not just survive but to rebuild their lives.”

The Department for International Development has promised to match the first £5m of public donations to the DEC appeal, which forms part of a £15m package of emergency aid. This also includes £2m to the British Red Cross and £3m to its Rapid Response Facility, announced on Monday, as well as medical teams, RAF aircraft carrying aid and assistance with military resources.

Elsewhere, Facebook is appealing to its members to donate to the Nepal earthquake relief, promising that it will match up to $2m for aid charity International Medical Corps.

To donate to DEC's Earthquake Appeal click here.