--- title: "Giving to emergency appeals from the UK | CharityCompare" description: "How DEC appeals work, its 15 member charities, UK Aid Match and how to check an appeal is genuine, with the DEC appeals open on 23 October 2026." source: https://www.charitycompare.org.uk/emergency-appeals retrieved: 2026-11-07T22:49:17.878Z date_note: "Retrieval time is not the filing, register-extract or editorial-review date; cite those dates from the content." license: "Charity data © Crown copyright, Open Government Licence v3.0" --- # Giving to emergency appeals from the UK **In short:** When a disaster overseas meets its criteria, the Disasters Emergency Committee (DEC) runs one national appeal for its 15 member charities and shares the money between them by formula. Check an appeal on dec.org.uk or the charity register before you give. The Clarity Scores on this page rate each charity’s financial reporting and stewardship, not its emergency work. Last reviewed 23 October 2026 by CharityCompare editorial. Checked 23 October 2026 ## DEC appeals open on 23 October 2026 These are the appeals marked active on the [DEC appeals page](https://www.dec.org.uk/appeals) on that date. Totals are the DEC’s own figures, with the date of each update. Money given to a DEC appeal is shared between its member charities, listed below. ### [Venezuela Earthquake Appeal](https://www.dec.org.uk/appeal/venezuela-earthquake-appeal) Launched 1 July 2026. The DEC describes two earthquakes close to Caracas; the Charity Commission dates them to 25 June 2026. Raised The DEC reported £20 million raised in its update of 19 August 2026. UK Aid Match The UK Government matched donations from the public pound for pound up to £2 million. The DEC’s update of 2 July 2026 said its total of over £7 million already included the £2 million matched. Official text code Text DONATE to 70150 (£10 plus your standard network charge). Compare any code you are sent with the [DEC’s list](https://www.dec.org.uk/how-you-can-help). ### [Middle East Humanitarian Appeal](https://www.dec.org.uk/appeal/middle-east-humanitarian-appeal) Launched 17 October 2024. Conflict in Gaza, Lebanon, the West Bank and Syria, the four areas the DEC names. Raised The DEC reported £68 million raised in its update of 11 September 2026. UK Aid Match The UK Government matched the first £10 million from launch and announced a further £3 million on 2 December 2025. On 27 January 2026 the DEC said that £3 million had been met, making £13 million matched since launch. GOV.UK’s table lists the original £10 million. Official text code Text DONATE to 70676 (£10 plus your standard network charge). Compare any code you are sent with the [DEC’s list](https://www.dec.org.uk/how-you-can-help). ### Crises the DEC is monitoring without an appeal On 23 October 2026 the [DEC’s monitoring page](https://www.dec.org.uk/monitoring) said its criteria for a national appeal were not met for these crises, and listed members running their own appeals. Give through the charity’s own website. - Nepal–Tibet floods: [ActionAid](https://www.charitycompare.org.uk/charity/actionaid), [CARE International](https://www.charitycompare.org.uk/charity/care-international-uk), [Christian Aid](https://www.charitycompare.org.uk/charity/christian-aid), [Islamic Relief](https://www.charitycompare.org.uk/charity/islamic-relief-worldwide), [Oxfam](https://www.charitycompare.org.uk/charity/oxfam-gb), [Tearfund](https://www.charitycompare.org.uk/charity/tearfund), [World Vision](https://www.charitycompare.org.uk/charity/world-vision-uk) - Democratic Republic of Congo (Ebola outbreak and conflict): [Action Against Hunger](https://www.charitycompare.org.uk/charity/action-against-hunger-uk), [Concern](https://www.charitycompare.org.uk/charity/concern-worldwide-uk), [Oxfam](https://www.charitycompare.org.uk/charity/oxfam-gb), [Tearfund](https://www.charitycompare.org.uk/charity/tearfund), [World Vision](https://www.charitycompare.org.uk/charity/world-vision-uk) - Sudan conflict: [Action Against Hunger](https://www.charitycompare.org.uk/charity/action-against-hunger-uk), [CAFOD](https://www.charitycompare.org.uk/charity/catholic-agency-for-overseas-development), [CARE International](https://www.charitycompare.org.uk/charity/care-international-uk), [Christian Aid](https://www.charitycompare.org.uk/charity/christian-aid), [Concern](https://www.charitycompare.org.uk/charity/concern-worldwide-uk), [Islamic Relief](https://www.charitycompare.org.uk/charity/islamic-relief-worldwide), [Plan International](https://www.charitycompare.org.uk/charity/plan-international-uk), [World Vision](https://www.charitycompare.org.uk/charity/world-vision-uk) DEC list checked 23 October 2026 ## The 15 DEC member charities In the DEC’s own order, from its [member list](https://www.dec.org.uk/member-charities), not by score. 14 of the 15 have a current CharityCompare Clarity Score. Each score comes from the whole charity’s filed accounts, not from one appeal, and rates financial reporting and stewardship, not how well it responds to emergencies. Charity numbers are from each charity’s own website. - Action Against Hunger Registered charity № 1047501 [Clarity Score 50/100, accounts to 31 December 2024](https://www.charitycompare.org.uk/charity/action-against-hunger-uk) - ActionAid Registered charity № 274467 [Clarity Score 59/100, accounts to 31 December 2025](https://www.charitycompare.org.uk/charity/actionaid) - Age International Registered charity № 1128267-8 The trading name of HelpAge International UK, a subsidiary charity of Age UK registered under Age UK’s number as 1128267-8. It has no separate CharityCompare rating, and Age UK’s score is not a score for Age International. - British Red Cross Registered charity № 220949 [Clarity Score 77/100, accounts to 31 December 2024](https://www.charitycompare.org.uk/charity/the-british-red-cross-society) Comparisons: [British Red Cross vs MSF UK](https://www.charitycompare.org.uk/compare/british-red-cross-vs-msf-uk), [UNICEF UK vs British Red Cross](https://www.charitycompare.org.uk/compare/unicef-uk-vs-british-red-cross), [Oxfam vs British Red Cross](https://www.charitycompare.org.uk/compare/oxfam-vs-british-red-cross) - CAFOD Registered charity № 1160384 [Clarity Score 66/100, accounts to 31 March 2025](https://www.charitycompare.org.uk/charity/catholic-agency-for-overseas-development) Comparisons: [Christian Aid vs CAFOD](https://www.charitycompare.org.uk/compare/christian-aid-vs-cafod) - CARE International Registered charity № 292506 [Clarity Score 63/100, accounts to 30 June 2025](https://www.charitycompare.org.uk/charity/care-international-uk) - Christian Aid Registered charity № 1105851 [Clarity Score 80/100, accounts to 31 March 2025](https://www.charitycompare.org.uk/charity/christian-aid) Comparisons: [Christian Aid vs CAFOD](https://www.charitycompare.org.uk/compare/christian-aid-vs-cafod), [Christian Aid vs Tearfund](https://www.charitycompare.org.uk/compare/christian-aid-vs-tearfund) - Concern Registered charity № 1092236 [Clarity Score 79/100, accounts to 31 December 2024](https://www.charitycompare.org.uk/charity/concern-worldwide-uk) - International Rescue Committee Registered charity № 1065972 [Clarity Score 66/100, accounts to 30 September 2025](https://www.charitycompare.org.uk/charity/international-rescue-committee-u-k) - Islamic Relief Registered charity № 328158 [Clarity Score 93/100, accounts to 31 December 2024](https://www.charitycompare.org.uk/charity/islamic-relief-worldwide) Comparisons: [Large aid agency vs specialist charity](https://www.charitycompare.org.uk/compare/international-aid-large-vs-specialist), [Islamic Relief vs Muslim Aid](https://www.charitycompare.org.uk/compare/islamic-relief-vs-muslim-aid), [Islamic Relief vs Muslim Hands](https://www.charitycompare.org.uk/compare/islamic-relief-vs-muslim-hands), [Islamic Relief vs Human Appeal](https://www.charitycompare.org.uk/compare/islamic-relief-vs-human-appeal), [Islamic Relief vs Penny Appeal](https://www.charitycompare.org.uk/compare/islamic-relief-vs-penny-appeal), [National Zakat Foundation vs Islamic Relief](https://www.charitycompare.org.uk/compare/national-zakat-foundation-vs-islamic-relief) - Oxfam Registered charity № 202918 [Clarity Score 60/100, accounts to 31 March 2025](https://www.charitycompare.org.uk/charity/oxfam-gb) Comparisons: [Oxfam GB vs Save the Children UK](https://www.charitycompare.org.uk/compare/oxfam-gb-vs-save-the-children-fund), [Oxfam vs UNICEF UK](https://www.charitycompare.org.uk/compare/oxfam-vs-unicef-uk), [Oxfam vs British Red Cross](https://www.charitycompare.org.uk/compare/oxfam-vs-british-red-cross) - Plan International Registered charity № 276035 [Clarity Score 76/100, accounts to 30 June 2025](https://www.charitycompare.org.uk/charity/plan-international-uk) Comparisons: [Plan International UK vs World Vision UK](https://www.charitycompare.org.uk/compare/plan-international-uk-vs-world-vision-uk), [Plan International vs Save the Children](https://www.charitycompare.org.uk/compare/plan-international-uk-vs-save-the-children) - Save the Children Registered charity № 213890 [Clarity Score 80/100, accounts to 31 December 2025](https://www.charitycompare.org.uk/charity/save-the-children) Comparisons: [Large aid agency vs specialist charity](https://www.charitycompare.org.uk/compare/international-aid-large-vs-specialist), [Oxfam GB vs Save the Children UK](https://www.charitycompare.org.uk/compare/oxfam-gb-vs-save-the-children-fund), [Save the Children vs UNICEF UK](https://www.charitycompare.org.uk/compare/save-the-children-vs-unicef-uk), [Plan International vs Save the Children](https://www.charitycompare.org.uk/compare/plan-international-uk-vs-save-the-children), [World Vision vs Save the Children](https://www.charitycompare.org.uk/compare/world-vision-uk-vs-save-the-children) - Tearfund Registered charity № 265464 [Clarity Score 81/100, accounts to 31 March 2025](https://www.charitycompare.org.uk/charity/tearfund) Comparisons: [Christian Aid vs Tearfund](https://www.charitycompare.org.uk/compare/christian-aid-vs-tearfund), [Tearfund vs World Vision UK](https://www.charitycompare.org.uk/compare/tearfund-vs-world-vision-uk) - World Vision Registered charity № 285908 [Clarity Score 73/100, accounts to 30 September 2025](https://www.charitycompare.org.uk/charity/world-vision-uk) Comparisons: [Plan International UK vs World Vision UK](https://www.charitycompare.org.uk/compare/plan-international-uk-vs-world-vision-uk), [UNICEF UK vs World Vision UK](https://www.charitycompare.org.uk/compare/unicef-uk-vs-world-vision-uk), [World Vision vs Save the Children](https://www.charitycompare.org.uk/compare/world-vision-uk-vs-save-the-children), [Tearfund vs World Vision UK](https://www.charitycompare.org.uk/compare/tearfund-vs-world-vision-uk) ## How the DEC works The Disasters Emergency Committee is a UK charity (registered charity 1062638) that runs joint appeals when a disaster overseas meets its criteria. It does not deliver aid itself: it funds only the work of its member charities, which deliver aid directly or through partners. Its own [CharityCompare profile](https://www.charitycompare.org.uk/charity/disasters-emergency-committee): Clarity Score 84/100, accounts to 31 March 2026. - **Three launch criteria.** The disaster must need swift international help, some or all members must be able to respond at a scale that justifies a national appeal, and there must be reason to expect the public to give ([DEC](https://www.dec.org.uk/when-we-launch-an-appeal)). The DEC does not launch appeals for disasters in the UK. - **A fixed sharing formula.** Money is allocated by an “Indicator of Capacity”, updated each year from each member’s spending on emergency relief and recovery overseas and its UK fundraising capacity. No member gets more than 20% or less than 3% ([DEC](https://www.dec.org.uk/what-we-do-with-your-money)). - **Costs.** The DEC says about 7.2% of a donation covers its appeal costs, based on the average of its last four appeals, and about 92% is divided between members, which can use up to 7% of their share on their own management costs ([DEC help centre, updated 15 May 2026](https://dechelp.zendesk.com/hc/en-us/articles/212133205-How-will-my-donation-be-spent)). - **Timing.** Members are told their estimated share one week after launch, set out a six-month plan after a month, and must spend at least 30% of their share in those first six months. Programmes typically last two years and can be extended ([DEC](https://www.dec.org.uk/what-we-do-with-your-money)). For a UK emergency, the DEC points to the British Red Cross’s work in the UK ([DEC help centre](https://dechelp.zendesk.com/hc/en-us/articles/211355189-Why-doesn-t-the-DEC-launch-appeals-for-disasters-in-the-UK)). The [National Emergencies Trust](https://nationalemergenciestrust.org.uk/about-us/) describes itself as an independent charity for UK disasters, launched in November 2019, which shares appeal money as gifts to survivors and grants to charities. See its [CharityCompare profile](https://www.charitycompare.org.uk/charity/national-emergencies-trust) (Clarity Score 89/100, accounts to 31 March 2025). ## UK Aid Match Under UK Aid Match the Government adds £1 of UK aid for every £1 that people living in the UK give to an appeal it has agreed to match, from the international development budget ([GOV.UK, updated 1 July 2026](https://www.gov.uk/international-development-funding/uk-aid-match)). It applies only to appeals the Government names, and only up to a stated amount. Once that is reached, later gifts are not matched. Gift Aid is a separate tax relief: see [Gift Aid basics](https://www.charitycompare.org.uk/guides/gift-aid-basics). UK Aid Match amounts for recent DEC appeals, from GOV.UK | Year | DEC appeal | UK Aid Match | | --- | --- | --- | | 2026 | Venezuela Earthquake Appeal | £2 million | | 2025 | Myanmar Earthquake Appeal | £5 million | | 2024 | Middle East Humanitarian Appeal | £10 million | | 2023 | Turkey-Syria Earthquake Appeal | £5 million | | 2022 | Pakistan Floods Appeal | £5 million | | 2022 | Ukraine Humanitarian Appeal | £25 million | Amounts as listed by GOV.UK. For the Middle East Humanitarian Appeal the DEC reports a further £3 million matched after 2 December 2025, £13 million in total. GOV.UK lists earlier DEC appeals back to 2013. ## How to check an appeal is genuine Run these checks before giving to any disaster appeal. When the Venezuela appeal launched, the Charity Commission and the Fundraising Regulator gave these steps ([GOV.UK, 1 July 2026](https://www.gov.uk/government/news/support-registered-charities-to-help-earthquake-aid-efforts-in-venezuela)): - Consider giving through the DEC’s appeal. - For any other charity, check its name and registration number on the charity register. Most charities in England and Wales with an annual income of £5,000 or more must be registered. - Look for the Fundraising Regulator’s Fundraising Badge and check its directory of organisations committed to its Code of Fundraising Practice. - Make sure the charity is genuine before giving any financial details, and be careful with links in emails. Two DEC-specific checks: the DEC does not publish its bank details online and sends them only on request with a payment reference ([DEC help centre](https://dechelp.zendesk.com/hc/en-us/articles/204750412-Why-aren-t-your-bank-details-on-the-website)), so treat unsolicited “DEC” bank details with suspicion; and compare any text code with the DEC’s own list. Our guides cover the rest: [how to spot charity scams and fake appeals](https://www.charitycompare.org.uk/guides/charity-scams-and-fake-appeals) and [how to check a charity number](https://www.charitycompare.org.uk/guides/how-to-check-a-charity-number). ## Emergency appeals: common questions Which charity should I donate to for a disaster or conflict? + CharityCompare does not rank charities by how much good they do in a crisis. When the Disasters Emergency Committee (DEC) runs an appeal, your donation is shared between its member charities using a set formula, so you do not have to pick one. When there is no DEC appeal, the DEC’s monitoring page names the members that are responding. Check that any charity you choose is registered, and read its Clarity Score as a guide to its financial reporting, not to the impact of its emergency work. Is there a DEC appeal for the Nepal floods? + Not on 23 October 2026. The DEC’s monitoring page said its criteria for a national appeal were not met and listed appeals run by ActionAid, CARE International, Christian Aid, Islamic Relief, Oxfam, Tearfund and World Vision. The DEC appeals open that day were the Venezuela Earthquake Appeal and the Middle East Humanitarian Appeal. Check dec.org.uk/appeals for changes. Does the DEC take a share of donations? + Yes, to run the appeal. The DEC’s help centre (updated 15 May 2026) says about 7.2% of a donation covers its appeal costs, such as advertising and phone lines, based on the average of its last four appeals. About 92% is divided between the 15 member charities, which can use up to 7% of what they receive on their own management costs for the response. Interest earned on money waiting to be spent may fund the DEC’s wider work. How long do DEC appeals run? + The DEC says its appeal programmes typically last two years and can be extended depending on the disaster. Members must spend at least 30% of their share in the first six months, after which the emphasis moves where possible to helping communities rebuild. An appeal can stay open for donations for much longer than the first emergency phase: the Middle East Humanitarian Appeal launched on 17 October 2024 and was still open on 23 October 2026. Is the DEC a legitimate charity? + The Disasters Emergency Committee is registered with the Charity Commission for England and Wales as charity 1062638. On 1 July 2026 the Charity Commission and the Fundraising Regulator suggested giving through the DEC’s Venezuela appeal. Its CharityCompare Clarity Score is 84/100 (accounts for the year ending 31 March 2026), which rates financial reporting and stewardship, not the aid its members deliver. Give through dec.org.uk, typed in yourself, rather than a link in a message. Which charities are in the DEC? + On 23 October 2026 the DEC listed 15 member charities: Action Against Hunger, ActionAid, Age International, British Red Cross, CAFOD, CARE International, Christian Aid, Concern, International Rescue Committee, Islamic Relief, Oxfam, Plan International, Save the Children, Tearfund and World Vision. What is UK Aid Match? + A UK Government scheme that adds £1 of UK aid for every £1 that people living in the UK give to an appeal it has agreed to match, up to a set amount. For DEC appeals, GOV.UK lists amounts from £2 million (most recently the 2026 Venezuela Earthquake Appeal) to £25 million (the 2022 Ukraine Humanitarian Appeal). Once that amount is reached, later donations are not matched, so check the appeal page before assuming yours will be doubled. When does the DEC launch an appeal? + Only when three criteria are met: the disaster is big and urgent enough to need swift international help; some or all members can respond at a scale that justifies a national appeal; and there is reason to expect the UK public to give. The DEC does not launch appeals for disasters in the UK, where it says funding and a framework for recovery already exist. Should I send clothes or supplies instead of money? + The DEC advises against it for most people. It does not collect, store or send goods, and says shipping goods from the UK usually costs more than they are worth; members buy relief items in bulk in or near the affected region. For large or specialised donations it points people to Global Hand, and businesses to In Kind Direct. ## Sources All read on 23 October 2026. Figures are the publisher’s own and measure what each note says. - [DEC: Member charities](https://www.dec.org.uk/member-charities) The 15 member charities, as listed on 23 October 2026. - [DEC: What we do with your money](https://www.dec.org.uk/what-we-do-with-your-money) Allocation formula (no member over 20% or under 3%), spending phases and the 7.2% average appeal cost. - [DEC help centre: How will my donation be spent? (updated 15 May 2026)](https://dechelp.zendesk.com/hc/en-us/articles/212133205-How-will-my-donation-be-spent) About 92% shared between members, up to 7% for members’ management costs, programmes typically two years. - [DEC: When we launch an appeal](https://www.dec.org.uk/when-we-launch-an-appeal) The three launch criteria: scale, capacity and public support. - [DEC: Appeals](https://www.dec.org.uk/appeals) Which appeals are marked active and which are closed. - [DEC: Venezuela Earthquake Appeal](https://www.dec.org.uk/appeal/venezuela-earthquake-appeal) Launch on 1 July 2026, UK Aid Match up to £2 million, £7 million raised by 2 July and £20 million by 19 August 2026 (appeal news updates). - [DEC: Middle East Humanitarian Appeal](https://www.dec.org.uk/appeal/middle-east-humanitarian-appeal) Launch on 17 October 2024, £68 million raised (update of 11 September 2026), UK Aid Match of £10 million at launch and a further £3 million announced on 2 December 2025. - [DEC: Monitoring](https://www.dec.org.uk/monitoring) Crises the DEC is watching without an appeal, and the members it lists as responding. The page is undated; read on 23 October 2026. - [DEC help centre: Why doesn’t the DEC launch appeals for disasters in the UK? (updated 15 May 2026)](https://dechelp.zendesk.com/hc/en-us/articles/211355189-Why-doesn-t-the-DEC-launch-appeals-for-disasters-in-the-UK) No DEC appeals for UK disasters. - [DEC help centre: I want to send clothes/blankets/food/donate goods to the affected area (updated 13 January 2025)](https://dechelp.zendesk.com/hc/en-us/articles/204749402-I-want-to-send-clothes-blankets-food-donate-goods-to-the-affected-area) The DEC does not collect goods; it refers bulk donors to Global Hand and businesses to In Kind Direct. - [DEC help centre: Why aren’t your bank details on the website?](https://dechelp.zendesk.com/hc/en-us/articles/204750412-Why-aren-t-your-bank-details-on-the-website) Bank details are sent only on request, with a payment reference. - [DEC: Many ways to give](https://www.dec.org.uk/how-you-can-help) Official text-to-donate codes and postal details for each open appeal. - [GOV.UK: UK Aid Match (updated 1 July 2026)](https://www.gov.uk/international-development-funding/uk-aid-match) How matching works and the match amount for each DEC appeal since 2013. - [GOV.UK: Charity Commission and Fundraising Regulator, “Support registered charities to help earthquake aid efforts in Venezuela” (1 July 2026)](https://www.gov.uk/government/news/support-registered-charities-to-help-earthquake-aid-efforts-in-venezuela) Date of the earthquakes (25 June 2026) and the regulators’ steps for giving safely. - [National Emergencies Trust: About us](https://nationalemergenciestrust.org.uk/about-us/) An independent charity for UK disasters, launched in November 2019; registered charity 1182809. - [Age International: website footer](https://www.ageinternational.org.uk/) Age International is the trading name of HelpAge International UK, registered charity 1128267-8, a subsidiary charity of Age UK. **Information only**, not donation advice. CharityCompare takes no cut of donations and is not paid to list any charity on this page. Clarity Scores come from UK regulator filings (see our [methodology](https://www.charitycompare.org.uk/methodology)) and do not measure the impact of a charity’s work.