THE Floods in Pakistan are now worse than Haiti’s January 2010 earthquake, the 2004 Indian Ocean tsunami, and the 2005 Kashmir earthquake combined.

An area the size of England has been left under water, with 20 million people now affected.

Such a massive sustained disaster calls for a massive sustained response and the remarkable generosity of the UK public has reflected this need.

Donations to the DEC have now reached £33m and the committee announced yesterday that, for the first time in its 45-year history, donations rose rather than falling during the second week of an appeal.

So far these outstanding donations have allowed the DEC member agencies and their partners to help more than 800,000 people.

Oxfam has already reached over 200,000 people – providing them with vital hygiene kits, water tanks, food and shelter.

However, large numbers of people are yet to be reached with the assistance they need, and the threat of deadly water-borne diseases compounds the suffering. Moreover, in some regions the threat of further flooding persists.

As a result, the continuing high level of donations is critically important and any amount received by the DEC will play a vital role in helping the millions of people who have lost their entire livelihoods in this overwhelming disaster.

To make a donation to the DEC Pakistan Floods Appeal, call the 24 hour hotline on 0370 606 0900, visit dec.org.uk or donate over the counter at any post office or high street bank. Alternatively, send a cheque. You can also donate £5 by texting the word GIVE to 70707.

Mary Frampton, Disasters Emergency Commission