Just over one week after the DEC launched its emergency appeal for Gaza, £3million has been raised in donations from the British public.

Since the appeal was launched on Thursday 22nd of January, members of the DEC have reached almost 800,000 people with vital supplies of blankets, food, water, sanitation and medical equipment.

“We are delighted that the public have responded in this way to the appeal. The money raised is enabling aid agencies on the ground to reach people in dire need of humanitarian assistance.” said Brendan Gormley DEC chief executive.

But agencies warn that the situation for hundreds of thousands Gazans remains critical. 1.3 million people are now dependent on food aid and 1 million are without access to a safe and adequate water supply.

“More funds are needed so that DEC members can continue to meet people’s immediate needs. If you have not donated already, please give what you can so that we can continue our aid efforts. Money raised will go straight to helping the most vulnerable people in Gaza.” Mr Gormley said.

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The DEC press office can be contacted on 0207 387 0200 or out-of-hours on 07930 999014.

Notes to editors:

1.      The DEC consists of: Action Aid, British Red Cross, CAFOD, CARE International UK, Christian Aid, Concern Worldwide, Help the Aged, Islamic Relief, Merlin, Oxfam, Save the Children, Tearfund, World Vision.

2.      The United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) has reported that 1.3 million are receiving UN food aid. This is noted in the Situation Report on the Humanitarian Situation in the Gaza Strip – No.18, 27-28 January 2009 (Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs). A rapid needs assessment by The World Health Organisation on the 28th of January has reported that 1 million people are without safe and adequate water supply.

3.      How to donate:
It’s easy to donate. Please visit our website on www.dec.org.uk or call the DEC on 0370 60 60 900. Go to any Post Office quoting Freepay number: 1210. We know people are facing financially difficult times but even a small donation makes a difference. Even a small donation to the appeal will help get food, water, shelter, emergency and medical supplies to people who desperately need it.

4.      The DEC criteria to launch an appeal are:
The disaster must be on such a scale and of such urgency as to call for swift International humanitarian assistance. The DEC agencies, or some of them, must be in a position to provide effective and swift humanitarian assistance at a scale to justify a national Appeal. There must be sufficient public awareness of, and sympathy for, the humanitarian situation so as to give reasonable grounds for concluding that a public Appeal would be successful.

5.     For new footage, photographs, case studies and pre-recorded or live interviews with both aid agency staff on the ground and in the UK, please contact the DEC press office on 0207 387 0200 or out-of-hours on 07905 284846.