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Sudan: DEC Darfur and Chad crisis appeal raises £3m

The DEC's Darfur and Chad Crisis Appeal is today on target to raise £3m.

The appeal, which was launched last Thursday, is the first time ever that web donations to the DEC have outstripped telephone donations.

Money donated online is immediately available - vital when Darfur and Chad are just weeks away from the rainy season which could seriously hamper the humanitarian effort.

The DEC is an umbrella group of international aid agencies working in Darfur, Chad and the Central African Republic, where 4.5 million people are affected by ongoing conflict.

DEC Chief Executive Brendan Gormley said:"This is a heartening response by the British public and shows they do care about the on-going crisis in Darfur. Aid agencies on the ground are working flat out to alleviate the suffering. I urge people to carry on giving because the more money we have, the more lives we can save."

The average donation is £50. That increases to £70 for web donations - enough to buy a week's supply of oral re-hydration salts for 200 children.

Donations can be made via the DEC website - www.dec.org.uk, by calling the 24-hour donations phone line - 0870 60 60 900 - and by cheques to PO Box 999, London EC3A 3AA. Donations can also be made at high street banks and post offices.

ENDS

For more information please contact:

Broadcast: 0207 255 9114 or broadcastlead@dec.org.uk
Print: 0207 255 9113 or printlead@dec.org.uk
Out of hours: 07930 999 014