DEC Syria Crisis Appeal reaches £4.2 million

Members of the UK public have so far donated a generous £4.2 million to the DEC Syria Crisis Appeal. More than five million people affected by the fighting now need urgent humanitarian aid, with three million of those forced from their homes.

Members of the UK public have so far donated a generous £4.2 million to the DEC Syria Crisis Appeal. More than five million people affected by the fighting now need urgent humanitarian aid, with three million of those forced from their homes.

World Vision is among the 14 leading UK charities forming the DEC which, together, are responding to the crisis.

Patricia Mouamar, spokesperson for World Vision Lebanon, said: “More than a million refugees have now fled Syria, and more than a third of them have escaped to Lebanon. The number of children and families arriving here increases by the day – and so do the individual stories of heartbreak and need.

“The situation’s overwhelming but there’s still hope among the tens of thousands of refugees World Vision is supporting, many of whom I meet every day. It’s heartening to know that people so far away in the UK care and are demonstrating this with generous support.”

DEC Chief Executive, Saleh Saeed, said:

“We are very grateful for the generosity of the British public and the wonderful support of our partners that have made it possible to raise so much in such a short period of time. The money will help many people who have fled their homes in Syria.

“As more people are affected by the conflict and are forced to seek refuge elsewhere, in Syria and neighbouring countries, we want to highlight how important it is that we continue to fundraise as the needs are immense.”

Agencies are already providing vital aid such as food, clean water, emergency shelter and medical care. The money that has come in since the first appeals were broadcast on Thursday will enable the DEC members to provide more help to more people.

More than three million people have been forced to leave their homes by fighting in Syria. Two million have fled to other parts of the conflict-torn country. A further one million have escaped across the border to seek safety in neighbouring countries. 

The number of refugees fleeing the country has increased from 1,000 a day at the beginning of the year to more than 8,000 a day. 

DEC member agencies are committed to providing support to people from all communities affected by the conflict based on need alone.