The Syria Crisis has become the first Disasters Emergency Committee appeal to receive over half of its public donations via digital sources.

Fifty-five per cent of the money given directly to the DEC to help the war-torn Middle Eastern country has been donated digitally, including 12 per cent via phones or tablets.

A total of £10.3m has been raised so far, a figure which also includes funds raised by member agencies as part of the appeal, money from trusts and estimated gift aid.

DEC launched its Syria appeal on 21 March to aid the escalating crisis, which DEC chief executive Saleh Saeed told civilsociety.co.uk at the time was "deteriorating significantly inside Syria and in neighbouring countries, creating desperate need for aid".

From the money given directly to DEC (so not including funds raised by member agencies as part of the appeal, money from trusts and estimated gift aid), 37 per cent was given via credit or debit card using the MyDonate platform, and 12 per cent was given via PayPal.

A further 4 per cent was donated via text message and 2 per cent was given through other online platforms including JustGiving and Virgin Money Giving.

“The support received so far for the appeal has been fantastic and we are particularly pleased with the very impressive level of giving via our various digital platforms,” said DEC interim head of fundraising Helen Calder.

“The varied ways donors can now choose to support the appeal has really helped us to reach a wider audience and bolster our fundraising figures. This will allow our members to reach many more people affected by the crisis in Syria.”

Fundraising for the DEC Syria Crisis appeal will continue until 20 September.