Fair Trade Blog By Indigo Ocean Trading

Indigo Ocean wholly support the work of the DEC (Disasters Emergency Committee) in helping to bring aid at times of overseas emergency.

The DEC is an organisation that 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.

The DEC’s remit is to unite agency efforts in times of disaster - such as flood, earthquake or famine - wherever it happens in the world. The way we at DEC approach our work is to maximise funds raised and ensure they are spent in an effective and fully accountable way.

DEC Members

The DEC is made up of 13 aid agencies, http://www.dec.org.uk/who_we_are/dec_members.html  who are UK registered humanitarian charities that fulfil certain criteria. See http://www.dec.org.uk/item/61. The DEC members have the expertise in the delivery and provision of aid. Members’ performance and any new applicants are reviewed every two years.

Rapid Response Network

The DEC is also supported by a network of television and radio broadcasters, the banks, the Post Office, BT, regional and national press and a range of organisations in the corporate sector. These organisations help the DEC at the time of an appeal, to publicise the situation and raise funds.

Current Appeal

A devastating 7.0 magnitude earthquake struck Haiti on January 12th 2010. It was the worst earthquake to hit the country in 200 years. Up to three million people live in the area worst hit by the quake, which centred 10 miles south-west of the densely populated capital Port-Au-Prince. The latest estimates are 230,000 people killed, 300,000 injured and 1.2 million left needing emergency shelter. Survivors lost family, homes, livelihoods and essential services. Hospitals, schools and government buildings were all destroyed.

The survivors’ urgent needs for medical care, food and water are increasingly being met, but the challenges remain huge. There is a critical need for appropriate emergency shelter and also latrines to prevent the spread of diseases. Homes, schools, health clinics and essential services such as water and sewerage must all be replaced or provided. Haiti is the poorest country in the western hemisphere, greatly increasing the risk that people will suffer or die in the aftermath of a natural disaster.

The DEC needs your support to help the Haitian people to rebuild their lives. The donation line is 0370 60 60 900 or donate on the web on this link: https://www.donate.bt.com/dec_form_haiti.html

For images please see: http://www.flickr.com/photos/disastersemergencycommittee/sets/72157623208324746/show/