THE amount raised for the Disasters Emergency Committee’s (DEC) Middle East Humanitarian Appeal is now more than £2 million in Scotland since the appeal launched just two weeks ago.
The impressive total is thanks to the generosity of the Scottish public, DEC corporate partners and longstanding supporters, as well as the Scottish Government.
The DEC has already allocated funds to its member charities — including British Red Cross, Christian Aid, Islamic Relief, Oxfam, Save the Children and Tearfund — who are responding right now in Gaza and Lebanon.
The Scottish Government has donated £200,000 to the appeal through its Humanitarian Emergency Fund.
We previously spoke to a Scottish aid worker her harrowing experience of the devastation in Gaza.
Just £10 could provide blankets to for two people to keep them warm, £50 could provide emergency food for five families for one week and £100 could provide emergency shelter for five families.
Rob Murray, director for Scotland of DEC member charity British Red Cross said: “It’s amazing that Scotland has once again responded so generously to this appeal. To raise more than £2 million shows the empathy and compassion felt by people across Scotland.
“Despite the extraordinary challenges and risks, these donations will help the British Red Cross and other DEC member charities reach people Gaza, Lebanon and across the region. For all this support we say a huge thank you.
"Support the appeal by texting ‘HOPE’ to 70676 and make a difference today.”
The DEC brings together 15 aid charities at times of crisis overseas where there is significant unmet humanitarian need.
There are currently 14 DEC member charities responding in Gaza and Lebanon and eight in the West Bank.
This includes six members fundraising in Scotland: British Red Cross, Oxfam, Islamic Relief, Save the Children, Tearfund and Christian Aid.
Donations can be made at decorg.uk or by calling 0330 123 0333. You can also text HOPE to 70676 to donate £10.
