Disasters Emergency Committee (DEC)

The Disasters Emergency Committee (DEC) is a UK-based charity that coordinates emergency responses to disasters around the world. DEC was founded in 1963, following the tragic earthquakes in Skopje, Yugoslavia, and Agadir, Morocco. The organization brought together 13 UK-based aid agencies, including Oxfam, Save the Children, and the British Red Cross, to work together in responding to disasters.

DEC is a humanitarian organization that provides life-saving assistance to those affected by disasters, including natural disasters such as earthquakes, floods, and hurricanes, and human-made emergencies such as conflict and displacement. When a disaster strikes, DEC acts as a platform for its member organizations to pool resources, expertise, and knowledge to provide an effective and coordinated response.

DEC's member organizations work together to deliver vital aid, such as clean water, shelter, food, medical supplies, and sanitation, to those affected by disasters. They also provide support to communities to help them rebuild their lives after the immediate crisis has passed. DEC's goal is to ensure that aid is delivered quickly, efficiently, and effectively to those who need it most.

DEC relies on the generosity of the public to fund its operations. When a disaster strikes, DEC launches an appeal to raise funds to support its response efforts. The organization also works to raise awareness of the impact of disasters and the need for emergency responses. DEC's appeals have raised millions of pounds to support emergency response efforts around the world, providing life-saving aid to those affected by disasters.

DEC is governed by a board of trustees and managed by a small secretariat based in London. The organization is supported by a network of volunteers who help with fundraising and awareness-raising activities. DEC also works closely with other humanitarian organizations, governments, and international bodies to ensure that its response efforts are effective and coordinated.

In summary, the Disasters Emergency Committee is a UK-based charity that coordinates emergency responses to disasters around the world. It brings together several UK-based aid agencies to work together to provide a coordinated and effective response to disasters. The organization relies on the generosity of the public to fund its operations and raises awareness of the impact of disasters and the need for emergency responses. Its goal is to provide life-saving aid to those affected by disasters and to support communities to rebuild their lives after the immediate crisis has passed.

 

The Disasters Emergency Committee (DEC) is an umbrella organization of 14 leading UK-based humanitarian aid agencies that coordinate and provide emergency assistance to people affected by disasters around the world. The DEC was founded in 1963 in response to the need for a coordinated effort to respond to the humanitarian crises arising from the conflict in Yemen. Over the past six decades, the DEC has played a critical role in raising funds and coordinating the delivery of humanitarian aid in response to some of the world's most devastating disasters.

The DEC was established by a group of British charities, including the British Red Cross, Oxfam, and Save the Children, to raise funds for humanitarian crises caused by conflict or natural disasters. The organization was established on the principle of collaboration, with each member agency contributing their unique expertise and resources to a collective response. The first DEC appeal was launched in response to the humanitarian crisis caused by the conflict in Yemen. The appeal raised over £5 million, which was used to provide vital assistance to people affected by the conflict.

In the following decades, the DEC responded to a range of humanitarian crises, including the Bangladesh Cyclone in 1970, the Ethiopian famine in 1984, and the Rwandan genocide in 1994. The DEC's response to the Ethiopian famine was one of its most significant efforts, raising over £50 million and providing critical food aid to people affected by the crisis. In the same year, the DEC also launched an appeal in response to the Armenian earthquake, which raised over £23 million.

In 2004, the DEC launched one of its most significant appeals to date, in response to the Indian Ocean tsunami. The disaster, which killed over 230,000 people in 14 countries, was one of the deadliest natural disasters in history. The DEC appeal raised over £392 million, which was used to provide critical aid and support to those affected by the disaster. The response was a watershed moment for the organization, highlighting the power of collaboration and the importance of a coordinated response to humanitarian crises.

In the years that followed, the DEC continued to respond to a range of crises, including the Haiti earthquake in 2010, the East Africa drought in 2011, and the Philippines Typhoon Haiyan in 2013. The DEC's response to the Syrian crisis has been one of its most significant efforts in recent years, raising over £200 million since the conflict began in 2011. The organization has provided vital aid and support to millions of people affected by the conflict, including shelter, food, and medical assistance.

Today, the DEC remains a vital organization in the humanitarian sector, providing critical assistance to people affected by crises around the world. The organization's success is rooted in its commitment to collaboration, with member agencies pooling their resources and expertise to deliver an effective and coordinated response. The DEC's work is testament to the power of collective action, and its continued success will depend on the ability of its member agencies to adapt and respond to the evolving challenges of the humanitarian landscape.

The Disasters Emergency Committee (DEC) is an umbrella organization of 14 leading UK-based humanitarian aid agencies that coordinate and provide emergency assistance to people affected by disasters around the world. The DEC has several goals and objectives, which include:

1. To raise funds for humanitarian crises: The DEC's primary goal is to raise funds to provide emergency assistance to people affected by disasters around the world. The organization launches appeals in response to major crises and works with its member agencies to deliver aid and support to those in need.
    
2. To provide a coordinated response: The DEC's second goal is to provide a coordinated response to disasters. The organization brings together its member agencies to pool their resources and expertise to deliver an effective and efficient response.
    
3. To promote effective humanitarian action: The DEC's third goal is to promote effective humanitarian action. The organization works to raise public awareness of humanitarian crises and to promote best practices in humanitarian response.
    
4. To advocate for the rights of disaster-affected communities: The DEC's fourth goal is to advocate for the rights of disaster-affected communities. The organization works to ensure that the needs and rights of those affected by disasters are recognized and addressed by governments, aid agencies, and the wider international community.

The overall purpose of the DEC is to save lives, reduce suffering, and promote the dignity and rights of people affected by disasters. The organization plays a vital role in the humanitarian sector, providing critical assistance to people in need and promoting effective humanitarian action. Through its appeals and coordinated response, the DEC has helped millions of people affected by disasters around the world, and its work will continue to be essential in the years ahead.

The Disasters Emergency Committee (DEC) has had a significant impact on the lives of millions of people affected by disasters around the world. Some of the key impacts of the organization's work include:

Saving lives: The DEC's emergency appeals have enabled its member agencies to deliver life-saving assistance to people affected by disasters. This includes providing shelter, food, water, and medical aid to those in need.

Reducing suffering: The DEC's coordinated response has helped to reduce the suffering of people affected by disasters. The organization's member agencies work together to provide comprehensive assistance, including psychosocial support, to help people cope with the trauma and aftermath of disasters.

Supporting recovery: The DEC's work goes beyond the immediate response to disasters. The organization's member agencies also provide long-term support to help communities recover and rebuild in the aftermath of disasters. This includes supporting livelihoods, rebuilding infrastructure, and promoting community resilience.

Raising public awareness: The DEC's appeals and public outreach efforts have helped to raise public awareness of humanitarian crises around the world. This has led to increased support and funding for emergency response efforts.

Advocating for the rights of disaster-affected communities: The DEC's advocacy efforts have helped to ensure that the needs and rights of people affected by disasters are recognized and addressed by governments, aid agencies, and the wider international community.

Overall, the DEC has played a critical role in the humanitarian sector, providing essential assistance to people affected by disasters around the world. The organization's coordinated approach, focus on collaboration and advocacy efforts have helped to save lives, reduce suffering, and promote the dignity and rights of disaster-affected communities.