DEC MEDIA CENTRE

We are available for media interviews, comment and information on the situation facing people affected by the crises in Turkey and Syria, Pakistan and Ukraine. 

020 7387 0200  - Monday to Friday, 8am-6pm     07930 999 014 - Out of hours, media only

Email: sgard@dec.org.uk   Twitter: @decappeal

A series of devastating earthquakes hit southern Turkey (now known as Türkiye) and north-west Syria killing at least 44,000 people and injuring many more.

DEC charities and their local partners are responding in both countries, providing urgent help. Immediate priorities have been medical shelter for those who have lost their homes, heating in safe spaces, blankets, warm clothes, and ensuring people have food and clean water. 

Latest Press Releases

• DEC Turkey-Syria Earthquake Appeal reaches £150m, 6 months on from the disaster

• The Prince and Princess of Wales thank those involved in aid and fundraising efforts following earthquakes in Turkey and Syria

• DEC Turkey-Syria Earthquake Appeal raises over £100m in two weeks as stars praise 'moving' response 

• Turkey-Syria: Latest earthquake creates devastation and panic as humanitarian needs soar, warns the Disasters Emergency Committee (DEC)

• Turkey-Syria: Two weeks on from earthquake, donations to the DEC appeal top £90 million as charities warn of risk to vulnerable people 

• DEC faith organisations unite in support for earthquake survivors, as donations to Turkey-Syria Earthquake Appeal reach £88.1 million in eight days 

• Top chefs Dame Prue Leith and Yotam Ottolenghi support DEC appeal as food crisis deepens after Turkey-Syria earthquake 

• DEC Charities begin to rebuild lives of children affected by earthquakes as donations reach £84 million in six days

• VIP Glastonbury ticket prize draw in support of Turkey-Syria Earthquake Appeal raises tens of thousands in first hours

• Hospitals overloaded with crush injuries say doctors with supplies and equipment needed as DEC Turkey-Syria Earthquake Appeal donations reach £74 million 

• DEC Charities overcome challenges to deliver aid to North-West Syria as appeal raises £65 million in four days 

• British goodwill and generosity shine as donations to the DEC Turkey-Syria Earthquake Appeal tops £60 million in just three days

• Aid effort steps up as donations to the DEC Turkey-Syria Earthquake Appeal top £50 million in two days

• DEC Turkey-Syria Earthquake Appeal raises over £30 million in first day as death toll passes 20,000

• Aftershocks, freezing cold and rescue attempts: charities deliver vital aid as Disasters Emergency Committee launches Turkey-Syria appeal

• Disasters Emergency Committee (DEC) to launch Turkey-Syria Earthquake Appeal

Over 33 million people, approximately 16 million of whom are children, have been affected by the devastating floods in Pakistan. At least 1,600 people have been killed and now waterborne diseases and hunger threaten a second disaster.

Floods have destroyed or badly damaged more than a million homes in Pakistan, sweeping away entire communities, livelihoods, crops, schools and roads. Large areas of the country are still under water and people urgently need food, clean drinking water and shelter. 

DEC charities are working directly or through local partners to help save lives, providing food, temporary shelter, medical aid, clean water and sanitation to prevent the spread of waterborne diseases. Huge swathes of agricultural land have been affected, with crops swept away and 900,000 livestock killed. 

Latest Press Releases

• HM The King hears how DEC Pakistan Floods Appeal funds are helping hundreds of thousands as monsoon rains begin again - 8 June 2023

• Disasters Emergency Committee charities meet His Majesty The King to discuss humanitarian crises around the world, as Pakistan Floods Appeal tops £38 million  

• DEC Pakistan Floods Appeal raises over £30 million in just one month amid warnings of second disaster

• DEC Pakistan Floods Appeal raises £25m in two weeks, but rains return to worst-hit areas

• Disaster beyond a disaster as sheer scale of Pakistan flooding becomes clear, leaving thousands stranded, hungry, and with a health crisis looming

• DEC Pakistan Floods Appeal raises £13.5 million in two days as aid workers sound alarm over food shortages 

• Royals join Malala in support of DEC Pakistan Floods Appeal as £8 million raised in first day

• Charities deliver vital aid by boat as DEC launches Pakistan Floods Appeal to fund urgent assistance 

• Disasters Emergency Committee (DEC) to Launch Pakistan Floods Appeal 

In March 2022, the DEC launched an appeal to provide urgent aid to people fleeing the conflict in Ukraine, where over 7 million people are now internally displaced and more than 6 million have fled across the border to become refugees.

13 DEC charities are responding to the crisis, providing emergency aid and support to families in Ukraine and in neighbouring countries. With funds raised through the appeal they are supplying essential items like food, water and shelter for displaced families and medical support to health facilities including incubators for babies in Ukrainian hospitals.

DEC charities have prioritised helping the most vulnerable people, and empowered local people and organisations to reach them.

Latest Press Releases

• DEC's Ukraine Humanitarian Appeal reaches a staggering £350 million as cycle couriers deliver food to some of the most vulnerable inside Ukraine 

• UK public's generous response to DEC's Ukraine appeal sets new Guinness World Record's title 

• Duke and Duchess of Cambridge meet DEC aid workers as Ukraine appeal reaches £300 million and charities lay out response plans

• DEC Ukraine Humanitarian Appeal reaches £260 million after stars perform at Concert for Ukraine

• DEC Ukraine Humanitarian Appeal reaches £200 million in two weeks as conflict continues to drive refugee crisis 

About the DEC

When large-scale disasters hit countries without the capacity to respond, the DEC brings together 15 leading UK aid charities to raise funds quickly and efficiently. In these times of crisis, people in life-and-death situations need our help and our mission is to save, protect and rebuild lives through effective humanitarian response. 

The DEC’s 15 member charities are: Action Against Hunger, ActionAid UK, Age International, British Red Cross, CAFOD, CARE International UK, Christian Aid, Concern Worldwide UK, International Rescue Committee UK, Islamic Relief Worldwide, Oxfam GB, Plan International UK, Save the Children UK, Tearfund and World Vision UK. 

Visit our website for more details.