The DEC stands for the Disasters Emergency Committee and it is made up of 15 of the UK’s leading aid charities, of which Tearfund is one.
What does the DEC do?
In times of emergency, the DEC works to bring together the capabilities of the member charities who would normally be responding to an emergency situation, so that we can pool resources and coordinate a fast, efficient and effective public response to disasters happening in other countries around the world.
By working in collaboration with the Rapid Response Network of national media and corporate partners, the DEC is able to raise awareness amongst the UK public on a larger scale than any of the individual charities could do on their own and get the word out about what has happened, the urgent needs arising from it, and the planned response. The DEC also helps set up easy ways for people to donate money.
This means that vital aid can get to the people who need it, fast.
Which charities make up the DEC?
Current DEC members are: Action Against Hunger, Action Aid, Age Concern, British Red Cross, CAFOD, Care, Christian Aid, Concern Worldwide, International Rescue Committee, Islamic Relief, Oxfam, Plan, Save the Children, Tearfund and World Vision.
The DEC is also part of the Emergency Appeals Alliance (EAA), which is a global alliance of humanitarian coalitions (like the DEC).
What does Tearfund have to do with the DEC?
The chief executives of each of the member charities, including Tearfund’s Nigel Harris, along with up to six independent trustees, make up a board of trustees that govern the DEC. Together, they are responsible for running the DEC and making sure that it continues to carry out its charitable purpose and objectives.
The DEC is funded by the member charities, and money raised by DEC appeals is then used by the charities to fund their humanitarian response to the emergency.
