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Donations doubled to raise emergency funds

Working closely with the DEC and other humanitarian organisations, the Big Give launched an emergency match fund for East Africa on 15th March. In just two weeks, the campaign raised over £445,000 thanks to generous donations from the public. Donations were generously matched by philanthropists, trusts and foundations including the Reed Foundation.

Funds raised

Eleven charities took part in the campaign, all of which are currently responding to the crisis. The fund was launched in collaboration with the DEC who launched a televised appeal to raise awareness and funds for the crisis.   

Drought and conflict have left 16 million people on the brink of starvation and in urgent need of food, water and medical treatment. People are already dying in South Sudan and Somalia. In Kenya, the government has declared a national emergency and Ethiopia is battling a new wave of drought following the strongest El Nino on record. Women, children and older people are suffering the most; more than 800,000 children under five are severely malnourished. Without immediate treatment, they are at risk of starving to death.

Alex Day, Director of the Big Give commented: “The situation across East Africa is dire and it is the most vulnerable who are worst affected. We’re extremely grateful to those who contributed to our match fund to offer to double public donations to the campaign. The response from supporters who donated has been immense and the amount raised is the equivalent to providing 17,800 children with a month of life-saving food. In terms of the total amount raised, this is our second biggest emergency campaign we have ever run which demonstrates just how incredibly generous the public have been, we thank all of those who donated.” 

Whilst all of the match funding has been exhausted, help is still urgently needed and you can make an unmatched donation here: