The Disasters Emergency Committee’s (DEC) Turkey-Syria Earthquake appeal has raised more than £65m since opening for donations last Thursday, including £5m in UK Aid Match.
JustGiving, meanwhile, has seen £4.1m including Gift Aid raised through its platform for the Turkey-Syria response since the disaster occurred on 6 February.
Many other charities have also launched emergency appeals. World Vision UK has received a £1m donation from XTX Markets for its Turkey-Syria earthquake appeal and to date, the Oxfam appeal has raised £2.25m.
DEC: ‘Desire to help is shining through’
DEC brings together 15 leading UK aid charities at times of crisis overseas to raise funds and fourteen of the DEC’s members are either responding or planning to respond in Turkey and Syria. They receive funds from this appeal and some may work through local partners.
The Premier League has donated £1m with players and officials wearing black armbands during their weekend matches.
Staff at Royal Mail are also raising money from activities like fun runs and cake sales, with the company set to match funds up to £50,000.
NatWest Group will provide up to £100,000 match funding for colleague and customer donations and there has been a £100,000 donation from the Co-operative group.
Morrisons and the Co-operative Group are also offering customers the opportunity to make a donation at checkouts across all their stores.
The City of London Corporation has donated £50,000 to relief efforts in earthquake-hit Turkey and Syria.
Saleh Saeed, DEC chief executive, said: “The support across the country in stadiums, high streets and communities is testament to the incredible compassion and generosity of the British public and we’re incredibly grateful. The images we have all seen and heard from Turkey and Syria have shocked us all, and the desire to help is shining through.”
The earthquakes hit southern Turkey and north-west Syria killing at least 28,000 people and injuring many more. Currently, there are freezing conditions and many hundreds of thousands are homeless.
Saeed added: “DEC charities are stepping up aid delivery, knowing they have the support of the British public to do all they can to help. We are all determined to do all we can to support those affected both in the short and longer term and it’s inspiring to have the backing of the British public.”
Regulators: Expertise with existing organisations
The Scottish charity regulator (OSCR) has issued advice on how to give to the response.
Its guidance reads that it is easier and quicker to donate to established charities rather than set up your own, and suggests people may want to donate to the DEC response.
“The logistical costs and expertise required to supply aid to disaster zones are considerable and are best undertaken by existing organisations that have experience of operating in disaster zones or have existing operations in Turkey or Syria,” it adds.
OSCR warns people against travelling to the affected area, and urges the public to check out charities carefully before giving.
The Charity Commission for Northern Ireland also advised the public to donate either to the DEC appeal or another registered charity.
Related Articles
