The Disasters Emergency Committee’s (DEC) Myanmar Earthquake appeal has raised more than £10m in its first three days, it has confirmed.
Its appeal was launched last week on 3 April, following the 7.7 magnitude earthquake, which struck Myanmar on 28 March and is so far thought to have killed more than 3,500 people, making it the second deadliest earthquake in the east Asian country’s history.
DEC said the money raised is helping its 15 member charities to provide lifesaving emergency shelter, food, clean water, medical care and psychological support to some of the hundreds of thousands of people impacted by the earthquake.
The appeal raised £7.5m on its first day alone.
DEC chief executive, Saleh Saeed, said: “We are extremely grateful to all the people who have already donated to the DEC Myanmar Earthquake Appeal.
“Once again, the UK public have shown their immense generosity and desire to help those impacted by disasters.”
King and queen gave ‘generous donation’
The £10m total includes a “generous donation” from King Charles and Queen Camilla, DEC said, who are “regular supporters” of its appeals.
The total also includes “impressive donations” from the British public and DEC’s corporate partners, the organisation said.
Public donations are still being matched pound for pound by the government up to £5m, as part of its UK Aid Match scheme.
Besides the match funding, the government has committed £20m in response to the earthquake.
DEC’s latest fundraising announcement comes after nationwide television and radio appeals fronted by celebrities including Hugh Dennis, Simon Pegg and Myleene Klass aired across BBC and commercial channels on 3 April calling for support.
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