Disasters Emergency Committee

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The Disasters Emergency Committee is an umbrella group of several UK charities. These charities are all associated with disaster related issues such as providing clean water, humanitarian aid and medical care.

The DEC was created in 1963. It brings together a unique alliance of the UK's aid, corporate, public and broadcasting sectors to rally the nation's compassion, and ensure that funds raised go to DEC agencies best placed to deliver effective and timely relief to people most in need.

In the aftermath of the 2004 Indian Ocean earthquake, the committee provided 3000 telephone lines for people to give donations and ran television campaigns in order to obtain donations. It was instrumental in coordinating the efforts of the member charities so that all the areas affected received aid and that there was no overlap in the services provided in any one area.

[edit] Member charities

[edit] External links

ActionAid UK - Partnership of people fighting for a better world without poverty
CAFOD (Catholic Agency for Overseas Development) - Working to promote human development and social justice
Care International - Humanitarian organisation helping the world's most disadvantaged people
Christian Aid - Works to improve the lives of people regardless of race or religion and to change the rules that keep people poor.
Concern - "Working for a world where no one lives in fear, poverty or oppression."
Help the Aged - Working hard for a world in which older people are valued for their contribution to society
Merlin - International charity responding to medical emergencies
Oxfam GB - Working to build a just and safer world and campaigning in the areas trade, conflict, debt and aid, and education
Red Cross - Specialises in health matters, such as providing medical staff
Save the Children UK - Fighting for children around the world who suffer from poverty, disease, injustice and violence
Tearfund - Working to prevent poverty and suffering
World Vision UK - Works to prevent poverty, hunger and injustice