Generous Scots donated more than £1.5 million this year to overseas emergencies including the cyclone in Burma and the humanitarian crisis in the Democratic Republic of Congo, it was revealed today.
Generous Scots donated more than £1.5 million this year to overseas emergencies including the cyclone in Burma and the humanitarian crisis in the Democratic Republic of Congo, it was revealed today.
The sum was raised for appeals by the Disasters Emergency Committee in Scotland (DEC), despite the UK being in the midst of a global economic downturn.
In November, the DEC responded to the growing humanitarian crisis in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC).
More than 250,000 people were forced to flee their homes to escape the fighting, adding to over one million already displaced as a result of conflict.
Backed by Scots actress Daniela Nardini, the appeal raised nearly £900,000.
Juliette Prodhan, Oxfam's country director in the DRC, said: "Since 1998, over five million people have died as a result of the conflict in the DRC, a number equivalent to the entire population of Scotland.
"More than 250,000 people have been displaced by the current fighting, adding to over a million who were already displaced. These people are in urgent need of safety, food, water, shelter, blankets and basic supplies such as cooking materials and medicines.
"With your valuable help, aid agencies are getting supplies to as many people in need as we can and your funds have meant that we can help some of those who most need our assistance."
When Cyclone Nargis hit Burma in May, the appeal saw £636,384 pledged by Scots.
More than 140,000 people lost their lives and an estimated 2.4 million were left homeless.
DEC donations have provided food, temporary shelter, and "vital life saving resources".
Substantial rice planting will be providing a harvest now for many people but infrastructure will take much longer.
Andrew Kirkwood, Save the Children's programme director in Burma, said: "Since the DEC appeal in May, we've managed to reach one-third of all children affected by Cyclone Nargis.
"From the funds raised by the DEC, aid has been provided for livelihood recovery, food and short term food security assistance as well as shelter, water, sanitation, healthcare and nutrition.
"This has been a massive relief effort which will continue for a long time."
The DEC was created in 1963 and to date has raised over £1 billion for humanitarian disasters and emergencies around the world, helping millions of people.
Chair of the Disasters Emergency Committee Scotland, Mhairi Owens, said: "We will always need the Scottish public's support to raise the funds that help us make the difference on the ground.
"Donations made in Scotland can and have helped save lives. It's as simple as that."
