DEC launches Yemen Crisis Appeal

A major appeal was launched earlier this week by the Disasters Emergency Committee (DEC) to help people facing hunger in Yemen, with Clare Balding and Tom Hardy fronting appeals on both television and radio appeals. The UK Government will match donations from members of the UK public up to a total value of £5m in match funding.

Twenty months of war have brought Yemen, already one of the poorest countries in the world, to breaking point. More than seven million people in Yemen do not know where their next meal will come from and children are dying from malnutrition.

In the midst of conflict, DEC member charities are reaching millions of people across the country with lifesaving aid, such as food, treatment for malnutrition and cash, but much more needs to be done to reach those in dire need.

DEC Chief Executive, Saleh Saeed, said: “Now is the time to save lives in Yemen before it is too late. Children face the greatest risk of starvation – almost half a million infants and young children need immediate treatment for malnutrition. DEC members are already providing treatment for malnutrition, running mobile health teams, distributing emergency food and cash, but they need funds to reach more people.”

DEC member charities – including the Red Cross, CARE International, Islamic Relief, Oxfam and Save the Children – are already working across the whole country. Others, such as Christian Aid and Tearfund, are supporting activities of partner charities responding to the crisis.

•Stay up to date with developments in Yemen, the emergency response and the fundraising efforts with the DEC on: twitter: www.twitter.com/decappeal; on Facebook via www.facebook.com/DisastersEmergencyCommittee or by following #YemenCrisis

•The DEC brings 13 leading UK aid charities together in times of crisis: ActionAid UK, Age International, British Red Cross, CAFOD, CARE International UK, Christian Aid, Concern Worldwide, Islamic Relief, Oxfam, Plan International UK, Save the Children, Tearfund and World Vision; all collectively raising money to reach those in need quickly.

•This is how you can make a donation to the DEC Yemen Crisis Appeal.

•Go to: www.dec.org.uk
•Call the 24-hour hotline on 0370-60 60 900
•Donate over the counter at any high street bank or post office.
•To make a donation by post make cheques payable to DEC and post them to PO Box 999, London, EC3A 3AA.
•Donate £5 by texting the word SUPPORT to 70000. The full £5 will go to the DEC Yemen Crisis Appeal. Donors must be 16 years or over and have the bill payer’s permission. Texts are free and donations will be added to your bill.

•Information from Islamic Relief Foundation. For more information about this charity’s work, go to:
http://www.islamic-relief.org.uk

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