Representatives from Care International, Christian Aid, Oxfam, Tearfund and CAFOD issued a release on the weekend warning governments meeting in Warsaw for UN climate talks that the deadly super typhoon was a taste of things to come if they do not act against climate change. 

“This should be a wake-up call for negotiators who have been sleepwalking through a process fraught with delay and indecision," said Max Lawson from Oxfam. "The images we have seen from the Philippines are a reminder that climate change is not about numbers and process, but a growing reality for poor people who desperately need support to protect themselves and build safer futures.” 

Christian Aid climate change adviser Mohamed Adow added: “The people of the Philippines, like millions of others around the world, will remain at the mercy of a changing climate unless we act on the findings of overwhelming scientific evidence and get a global deal on cutting carbon emissions. We must free these climate captives by choosing clean energy over dirty energy..”

However, this advocacy drew criticism. Ukip MEP Roger Helmer tweeted: " We don't subscribe to DEC to have them promote climate alarmism. Stick to charity, guys."

The public, however, has continued to give to the DEC appeal. The campaign, which launched last Tuesday, raised £30m in three days, and now totals £39m.

Saleh Saeed, DEC chief executive, said that the public's generosity over the weekend had been overwhelming. 
“The needs are still enormous, and in fact growing day by day, but thanks to the donations we have received so far DEC agencies and their local partners are increasingly able to givedesperately-needed supplies of food, clean water, medication, sanitation and temporary shelter materials to thousands of people in the worst- affected areas," he said.

"The money raised is going straight to delivering essential aid and it is absolutely vital that we continue to support the survivors of this disaster.”