DEC’s Ukraine appeal raises more than £100m in four days

The Disasters Emergency Committee’s fundraising appeal to support victims of Russia’s invasion of Ukraine has raised more than £100m just days after launching.

The campaign by the charity coalition was launched last week to provide emergency supplies and support to the more than one million people forced to feel their homes due to the conflict in Ukraine.

It has announced that the total figure raised so far is £100m, which is the equivalent of £1m an hour since the campaign launched.

A total of £55m was raised on the first day of the appeal.

A huge thank you!

The British public has helped raise £100 million in just four days to support the DEC Ukraine Humanitarian Appeal – the equivalent of more than £1 million an hour!

DEC charities are making a difference: https://t.co/g0bYeJW7up pic.twitter.com/3QCfjXO5GS
— DEC (@decappeal) March 7, 2022

Of the money raised the UK government has agreed to match fund up to £20m, which is the largest government commitment to a DEC appeal.

Other donors include The Queen, Prince Charlies and Prince William. Meanwhile, celebrities including the actors David Tennant, Adrian Lester and Kit Harington have been fronting media appeals for donations.

The UN estimates that four million people, around a tenth of the population, could flee. Many are arriving in neighbouring countries with only what they can carry.

“We are extremely grateful for the huge generosity of everyone in the UK who has donated to the DEC Appeal. We are also very grateful for the generous support of the Royal Family,” said DEC chief executive Saleh Saeed.

“We also thank the UK Government who have matched pound for pound the first £20 million donated by the public, as well as our broadcast partners and celebrities for having aired and joined the appeal, reaching millions of viewers and listeners.

“Giving through the DEC is the most effective way to get the right assistance to the right people. While wanting to collect clothes and other items for people in need is laudable, the things people give today may not be what people need tomorrow and aid workers say they can’t use much of what is arriving. Donating through the DEC is the most helpful way people can assist.” 

The DEC is a consortium of charities, including the British Red Cross and Save the Children, set up to coordinate appeals during crisis overseas.