The Scottish Government has backed the Disasters Emergency Committee Myanmar (Burma) Cyclone Appeal and encouraged all Scots to do the same.
External Affairs Minister Linda Fabiani said generous Scots had already responded to Burma’s desperate need by
donating £400,000 since the DEC appeal was launched on Thursday morning.
To make a donation call 0870 60 60 900
or go to www.dec.org.uk
After a meeting with DEC representatives today Ms Fabiani said:
“Our thoughts are with the people of Burma at this very difficult time. The Scottish Government fully supports the DEC aid appeal and I understand that although access has been a challenge, aid is now being delivered through established channels in Burma. Scots have a strong humanitarian ethos and I am sure many people across the country will support this appeal to help those that are desperately suffering in the wake of Cyclone Nargis.
“The Scottish Government is in touch with the Department for International Development as well as the DEC in Scotland and we will consider any requests where we can provide additional support and assistance that can help the people of Burma.”
Gerry McLaughlin, Chair of the DEC in Scotland, said:
“Our priority is to deliver aid to those who need it the most and we can do that through our member local teams already working on the ground. Our agencies are impartial and non-political and it is important that we maintain impartiality for protection of our staff to enable them to deliver aid to those in desperate need of our support.”
“Aid is getting through via our agencies and we are calling on people to donate to our DEC Myanmar (Burma) Cyclone Appeal.”
The Disasters Emergency Committee (DEC) agencies are Action Aid, British Red Cross, CAFOD, CARE International UK, Christian Aid, Concern Worldwide, Help the Aged, Islamic Relief, Merlin, Oxfam, Save the Children, Tearfund and World Vision.
source-Scottish Parliament