A crisis appeal by the Disasters Emergency Committee for people at risk of starvation in East Africa has raised £17m within five days of its launch.
In South Sudan, Somalia, Kenya and Ethiopia, drought and conflict have left millions of people in immediate need of food, water and medical treatment.
More than 16 million people in the region do not know where their next meal will come from and children are at the risk of dying from starvation.
Launched on 15 March, the appeal has been shown on all major UK broadcasters including BBC, ITV, Channel 4, Channel 5 and Sky.
The DEC welcomed the £17m raised so far but urged further donations to support the work being done by its 13 member charities to combat the crisis.
Chief executive, Saleh Saeed, said: “After the 2011 Somalia famine, the international community said ‘never again’. This time we have the opportunity to intervene, so together we can save and protect lives.
“Our member charities are ready on the ground delivering life-saving help but they need more support to reduce the scale and severity of the crisis.
“But we must act now or the number of deaths will drastically increase. Don’t delay – please donate.”
In Fundraising Magazine
DEC’s member charities are already on the ground delivering life-saving aid, such as food, treatment for malnutrition and clean drinking water.
The UK government has said it will match pound for pound the first £5m donated to the DEC East Africa Crisis Appeal.
The DEC’s member charities are ActionAid, Age International, British Red Cross, CAFOD, CARE International, Christian Aid, Concern Worldwide, Islamic Relief Worldwide, Oxfam, Plan International UK, Save the Children, Tearfund and World Vision.
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