More than £11 million has been raised in two days after a UK appeal to help those affected by conflict in the Middle East.
The King and Queen and the Prince and Princess of Wales are among those who have donated to the Disasters Emergency Committee (DEC)’s appeal, launched on Thursday.
Millions in Gaza, Lebanon and the wider region urgently require food, shelter and medical care after fleeing their homes in search of safety, the DEC said.
Donations from Britons, corporate partners and supporters surpassed £11 million by Saturday.
Over the past year, conflict in the Middle East has devastated lives across the region, and millions have fled their homes in search of safety. #MiddleEastAppeal
Please donate today. https://t.co/lDSLsa5hW3 pic.twitter.com/EMmVRwjoLr
— DEC (@decappeal) October 19, 2024
DEC chief executive Saleh Saeed said he is “extremely grateful”.
He said: “Every donation will make a real difference to people at this time.
“The levels of need are huge and millions are displaced, hungry and desperately in need of a lifeline of support.
“Giving through the DEC is the most effective way for us to get widespread and co-ordinated assistance to those most in need right now across Gaza, Lebanon and the wider region.
“DEC member charities are responding now and providing lifesaving food, water, shelter, medicine and so much more, where the needs are greatest.”
Madara Hettiarachchi of the DEC said that in Gaza crops have been destroyed, meaning access to fresh food has become “severely limited” and prices are too expensive.
She went on: “As winter approaches the need is growing, and we urgently need more funds.
“The risk of famine is real. Without humanitarian access and support, hunger in Gaza will only increase.”
The UK Government is matching pound for pound the first £10 million donated by the public, the DEC said.
Why are you making commenting on The National only available to subscribers?
We know there are thousands of National readers who want to debate, argue and go back and forth in the comments section of our stories. We’ve got the most informed readers in Scotland, asking each other the big questions about the future of our country.
Unfortunately, though, these important debates are being spoiled by a vocal minority of trolls who aren’t really interested in the issues, try to derail the conversations, register under fake names, and post vile abuse.
So that’s why we’ve decided to make the ability to comment only available to our paying subscribers. That way, all the trolls who post abuse on our website will have to pay if they want to join the debate – and risk a permanent ban from the account that they subscribe with.
The conversation will go back to what it should be about – people who care passionately about the issues, but disagree constructively on what we should do about them. Let’s get that debate started!
Callum Baird, Editor of The National
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules hereLast Updated:
Report this comment Cancel