Between 1990 and 1998, 94% of the world's 568 major natural disasters and more than 97% of all natural disaster-related deaths were in developing countries. In addition to donating its annual surplus to long-term overseas development projects, it is TRAID's policy to continuously fundraise for the Disaster Emergency Committee's emergency appeals.

The Disaster Emergency Committee (DEC) unites the leading independent humanitarian agencies in the United Kingdom in their efforts to maximise income from the people across the UK to mount an effective humanitarian response to major disasters overseas.

TRAID has contributed to the following DEC Appeals.

Indonesia, Philippines and Vietnam DEC Appeal, October 2009

In October 2009, TRAID donated £10,000 to the DEC's latest appeal for funds to help the millions of people whose lives have been devastated by the terrible earthquakes, flooding and typhoons in Indonesia, Vietnam and in the Philippines. Tens of thousands have been killed or injured with millions immediately affected where homes, crops and vital services have been wiped out. Please support aid agencies work to provide shelter, medical care and food by donating urgently needed funds www.dec.org.uk

Congo DR Crisis Appeal, November 2008

In November 2008, the DEC launched an appeal for funds to help ease the desperate plight of 250,000 people forced to flee their homes to escape fighting in the Democratic Republic of Congo. TRAID donated £1001 from Emergency Funds raised via donations from customers in TRAID shops. To date, the DEC appeal has raised over £10.1 Million providing vital food, water, shelter and emergency medical supplies in the early weeks of the aid response.  Four months on and DEC Agencies have reached a total of 104,950 households and will continue to provide assistance to people in Eastern D R Congo until the end of August 2009. Read more about the Congo DR Crisis Appeal here.

Myanmar Cyclone Appeal, May 2008

TRAID has donated £10,098 to the Myanmar Cyclone Appeal.  On 2 May 2008 Cyclone Nargis ripped across the coast of Myanmar (Burma), bringing devastation and misery to tens of thousands of people.  Over two million people were made homeless and according to the DEC's latest figures (July 2008), an estimated 134,000 people are dead or missing.  TRAID's donation helped to provide vital shelter, clean water, life-saving food and emergency items such as water purification tablets, blankets and clothing.  It also enabled medical teams to provide emergency care for women, men and children affected by this tragedy.  The DEC appeal is now closed and has raised more than £19.2 Million to help survivors of Cyclone Nargis.  Read more about the Mynmar Appeal here.

Bangladesh Cyclone Appeal , November 2007

On Thursday November 15 Cyclone Sidr hit Bangladesh. Families were quite literally torn apart.  Waves swept children from the arms of their parents. In the aftermath of Cyclone Sidr, rescuers struggled to reach isolated areas along Bangladesh's devastated coast to give aid to millions of survivors. Three thousand people were confirmed dead and five million were affected. Around 250,000 homes were completely destroyed. The funds raised by TRAID for the DEC Bangladesh Cyclone Appeal helped to provide immediate relief including temporary shelter, blankets, food, medicine, water purification and sanitation. This DEC appeal is now closed and has raised more than £9 Million to help affected communities.  Read more about the Bangladesh Cyclone Appeal here.

Asia Quake Appeal, 2005 & 2006
On the 8th October 2005, an earthquake measuring 7.6 on the Richter scale decimated vast areas of northern Pakistan and India, killing approximately 860,000 people, injuring another 128,000 and making over 3.5 million people homeless. Entire villages were destroyed, many schools were flattened and it has been reported that a whole generation of children have been wiped out. Reconstruction was expected to take at least five years. The funds raised by TRAID for the DEC Asia Quake Appeal has been used to purchase tents, blankets and survival kits for families. This DEC appeal is now closed and raised £60 Million. Read more about the Asia Quake appeal here.

Niger Appeal, August 2005
The result of a massive locust invasion and severe drought caused a major food shortage in West Africa affecting nearly eight million people. Niger, the second poorest country in the world, was the worst affected with up to 2.5 million people at risk of severe hunger. It was feared that one in ten children would die from malnutrition unless they got urgent help. The money TRAID raised for the DEC Niger Appeal has been used to supply food to children, set up child nutrition programmes, supply medical equipment and supplies to hospitals and establish an early warning alert system.  This DEC appeal is now closed and has raised £28 Million.  Read more about the Niger Appeal here.

Tsunami Appeal, January 2005
On Boxing Day 2005, an earthquake in the Indian Ocean caused a massive tsunami to hit the coastlines of seven countries in Asia. Entire communities were wiped out in minutes. Tens of thousands were killed and millions were left without water, food and shelter. Ordinary lives were devastated. The money TRAID raised for the DEC Tsunami Appeal has been used to provide immediate relief as well as to help survivors rebuild villages, re-equip fishing ports and small factories and build new schools and hospitals. This DEC appeal raised £390 Million and although now closed, work continues in affected areas.  Read more about the Tsunami Appeal here.

Sudan Appeal, June 2004
The situation in the western region of Sudan has been labelled the worst humanitarian crisis in the world. A decades-long civil war between rebel forces and the government backed Janjaweed militia has left between 10,000 and 30,000 people dead. 1.1 million people have been displaced internally and a further 160,000, mostly women and children, are living in refugee camps. Funds raised by TRAID for the DEC Sudan Appeal have been used to provide access to clean, safe water and sanitation as well as basic necessities such as blankets, food and firewood. This DEC appeal is now closed and raised £35 Million.


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