MORE than £5.5 million has been raised in Scotland in the first three days of the Disasters Emergency Committee’s (DEC) Appeal in response to the Turkey-Syria Earthquake. The UK figure has just passed £60m.
Across Scotland, people have come together at sports events, in the high street and at work to support the Appeal to get life-saving supplies to an estimated 17m people in Turkey and Syria whose lives have been shattered by the powerful earthquakes that hit the region last Monday.
More than 30,000 people are now known to have been killed in the disaster. Freezing conditions continue, with hundreds of thousands homeless and many injured.
Sally Foster Fulton of Christian Aid in Scotland and head of the appeal effort in Scotland said: “The wonderful response that we have seen across the country show real compassion and generosity from the Scottish public, especially during the cost of living crisis.
“We are so grateful for every single donation, however large or small. The images we have all seen and heard from Turkey and Syria have been profoundly shocking but the desire to help has shone through.”
“With these sums of money, our 15 member charities and their local partners can accelerate their efforts to deliver vital shelter in freezing temperatures as well as reach so many more people with vital medical supplies, food and clean water.
“With this support we are determined to help those most affected in the days, weeks and months ahead.”
The DEC brings together 15 leading UK aid charities at times of crisis overseas. Fourteen of these are responding in Turkey and Syria including the six members in Scotland, Christian Aid, Islamic Relief, Oxfam, Tearfund, Save the Children and the Red Cross.
Donations can be made online at dec.org.uk; by calling 0370 60 60 610; by texting SUPPORT to 70787 to donate £10; over the counter at any high street bank or post office; or send a cheque by post to: DEC Turkey-Syria Earthquake Appeal, PO Box 999, London EC3A 3AA.
