On Thursday, the Disasters Emergency Committee (DEC) launched an appeal for people affected by the ebola crisis in West Africa.

Since then, the appeal has received an overwhelming response from the Scottish people. They donated more than £420,000 in just two days. Across the UK, more than £6 million was raised in that time.

This is evidence, not only of the compassion and generosity of Scots, which has never been in any doubt, but also of the way in which people easily identify with the terrible human suffering that this disease is causing throughout Sierra Leone, Liberia and Guinea. This is why, for the first time in its 50-year history, the DEC has appealed in response to a disease outbreak.

In West Africa today we are seeing a disease create not just a medical crisis but a humanitarian emergency. Without urgent action to stop the spread of ebola and to help those affected by the crisis, parts of West Africa face catastrophe within a matter of weeks.

The DEC brings together 13 leading UK aid charities in times of crisis. In Scotland, these include: British Red Cross, Christian Aid, Concern ­Worldwide, Islamic Relief, Oxfam, Save the Children and Tearfund. We have run 62 UK-wide appeals and raised more than £1.1 billion since its launch in 1963, helping to save millions of lives and rebuild communities devastated by disasters. For example, almost exactly 10 years ago we raised £392m for the 2004 tsunami appeal. Four years ago we raised £107m for the response to the earthquake in Haiti. The great thing about DEC appeals is that they pool the diverse experience and specialised work of different agencies. We are able to use money donated by the public as efficiently as possible so we can help the maximum number of people during times of crisis.

In terms of the current ebola crisis, DEC member agencies and their partners are working urgently to help stop the spread of the disease and provide support to those affected by the crisis. Some DEC member agencies are involved in the highly specialised work of treating people with ebola but the majority of the work of our members is focused on stopping the spread of the disease and providing support to those affected by the crisis.

DEC members responded to the crisis early on through vital work providing water and sanitation, supporting health teams and raising awareness among communities. As the infection rates started to explode, member agencies significantly ramped up their responses to prevent the spread of the disease and to stop new infections. There is increasing recognition that the impact is wider than medical and health needs and member agencies are now providing practical help, such as food aid to families affected by the disease.

We urgently need funds to provide a holistic response to the crisis, preventing the spread of the disease and helping those affected. Our member agencies have already achieved so much - providing protective clothing, educating communities and supporting safe and dignified burials - but there is so much more to do.

That is why we are grateful for the incredibly generous response so far to our appeal by people in Scotland and indeed throughout the UK. We also welcome the fact that the UK Government is matching the first £5m given by the public.

The Scottish Government has already contributed £500,000 to the World Health Organization in August, and a further £300,000 through an in-kind contribution of equipment made via the Department for International Development two weeks ago.

However, the DEC in Scotland has now written to leading Scottish politicians asking them to do everything possible to support the appeal. This includes every Scottish MSP, MP and MEP, along with council leaders.

In addition, Sarah Boyack MSP, convener of the Cross-Party Group on International Development, has now placed a motion at the Scottish Parliament backing the appeal - this attracted cross-party support.

We welcome the significant and swift contributions made by the Scottish Government so far - it's a great start. However, we urge every Scottish politician to continue to do everything they can to support the appeal - the level of need is urgent and our response needs to reflect the extent of the challenge.

We very much hope that Scots continue to support the DEC Ebola Crisis Appeal so that we can help stop the spread of this appalling disease.

To make a donation to the DEC Ebola Crisis Appeal, visit www.dec.org.uk, call the 24-hour hotline on 0370 60 60 900, donate over the counter at any high street bank or post office, or send a cheque. You can also donate £5 by texting the word SUPPORT to 70000.