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 supported the following DEC Appeals since 2004:

Mynamar Cyclone Appeal, May 2008

TRAID has donated £10,000 to the Mynamar 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.  Teams from DEC member agencies together with flights of emergency relief items are now arriving in Myanmar and reaching those people most affected by Cyclone Nargis. More aid is desperately needed and the DEC is calling on people to donate to the DEC Myanmar (Burma) Cyclone Appeal.  Donations are urgently needed right now.  To donate please visit the DEC 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.

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. The Pakistani government announced that reconstruction is expected to take 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.

Niger Appeal, August 2005
The result of a massive locust invasion and a severe drought has 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, provide animal fodder for weak livestock, supply medical equipment and health supplies to hospitals, set up irrigation systems, and establish an early warning alert system.

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.

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.







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