On behalf of the Disasters Emergency Committee, I would like to personally thank your readers for their generosity towards the people of Indonesia, the Philippines and Vietnam who were hit by a series of disasters within a single terrible week.

Since the launch of the appeal for urgent aid, the public has given over £3million, showing their steadfast support to the hundreds of thousands of people affected by the earthquakes, typhoons, floods, and landslides. This kind of generosity is hugely heartening, especially in light of financial uncertainties currently facing so many people in the UK.

In the affected countries we have seen remarkable acts of bravery as people attempt to save themselves, their family and friends.

Survivors are now receiving support from DEC member agencies which, using the money raised, are helping meet the most urgent needs of hundreds of thousands of people for food, shelter and medical care.

As governments clear the roads making access easier for us we will continue to respond to the basic, emergency needs of those we reach.

But the battle for survival continues over the coming months as those affected face the task of rebuilding their lives.

We must be on hand to support this process of replanting crops, replacing farm animals and repairing homes, schools and medical centres.

The world’s attentions will inevitably turn elsewhere but we remain dependant on the generosity of the public to ensure that people who have survived terrible disasters do not face further, entirely avoidable suffering. Please keep up your support by giving at dec.org.uk or by calling 0370 60 60 900.

Brendan Gormley, Chief Executive, Disasters Emergency Committee