British Prime Minister David Cameron has just announced via Twitter that the British Government is to match the first £5 million of the Disasters Emergency Committee's appeal to help people affected by the devastating Philippines typhoon.
“We’re doing all we can to help victims of #TyphoonHaiyan – matching the first £5m of the @decappeal, on top of £10m we’ve already donated,” tweeted Cameron.
The Disasters Emergency Committee (DEC) today launched an appeal for people affected by the devastating Philippines typhoon. The organisation said its members, which are the UK’s leading aid agencies, are already responding to the crisis but the scale of destruction is such that there is huge unmet need.
Typhoon Haiyan – said to be the strongest ever to make landfall – has rendered roads impassable and airports out of action which is severely hampering relief efforts, the DEC said. DEC Chief Executive Saleh Saeed said: "The destruction in Tacloban city, on the east coast, is said to be reminiscent of the Boxing Day Tsunami. There is currently no food, water or electricity. We can only imagine how much worse the situation will be for families living in towns and remote villages.
“DEC members are doing all they can to get aid through but they need a huge injection of funds in order to do so. The priorities are getting food, water and shelter to people in desperate need.”
The DEC appeals went out live tonight on BBC, ITV, Channel 4, Sky, Channel Five and other broadcast outlets, fronted by TV presenter and musician Myleene Klass (ITV) and presenter Kirsty Young (BBC).
To make a donation to the DEC Philippines Crisis Appeal visit 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 or send a cheque. You can also donate £5 by texting the word SUPPORT to 70000.
