Donations can be made by ringing 0370 60 60 900 or at www.dec.org.uk

Scots Aid workers from DEC member agencies have arrived in East Asia to support the aid effort after a series of natural disasters devastated the region in quick succession over the last week.

On September 26, Typhoon Ketsana hit the Philippines, affecting the wider region including Vietnam. An earthquake registering 7.6 on the Richter scale struck western Sumatra on the 30th followed by a significant aftershock the next day. Typhoon Parma struck a remote area of the Philippines on October 3 causing some further deaths and extensive damage.

Shocked by the scale of the disaster, Sharon Reader from the Red Cross and David MacDonald from Oxfam have called on fellow Scots to dig deep.

Tens of thousands of people have been killed or injured, with millions homeless and without food, water or vital services.

Despite appalling conditions, aid agencies' responses are underway in Indonesia, the Philippines and Vietnam, but remain seriously under funded.

The Disaster Emergency Committee (DEC) has launched radio and TV appeals for public funds to help those affected.

Donations can be made by ringing 0370 60 60 900, at www.dec.org.uk or at any Oxfam, Red Cross or Save the Children shop.

Sharon Reader, from Glasgow, who is in Padang with the Red Cross Logistics Emergency Response Unit, said:

"When I arrived in Padang, it was pitch black. There was no electricity and the rains were pouring down, making the situation for the hundreds of thousands of people already homeless even more critical.

"What we are concentrating on first is getting these people decent shelter and clean water. But with so many disasters hitting across the East Asia region in the past week, conditions are difficult and resources are stretched.

"I'm appealing to Scottish people to donate to help us scale up our efforts, to reach those most in need and save and rebuild lives."

David MacDonald, Oxfam's East Asia Regional Programme Manager, from Renfrew, is coordinating Oxfam's emergency response in Indonesia. Mr MacDonald said:

"Oxfam and other DEC agencies are working quickly and efficiently under challenging circumstances. Providing clean water is our immediate priority. The local water supply was severely damaged by the earthquake, and the cost of water has doubled from 4,500 rupiahs before the earthquake, to 8,000 rupiahs per gallon now.

"We have one water tanker that can deliver 5,000 litres of water already in action, and we are flying in three water purification plants that will provide enough clean water for more than 40,000 people.

"But the needs are huge in Padang and they don't just include initial emergency supplies. We are also looking at how best we can help people to get back on their feet quickly - those affected need to be able to get on with rebuilding their lives from the devastation."

Douglas Hamilton, Chair of the DEC Scotland, said:

"The nature of these disasters vividly recalls the horrors of 2004 Tsunami. Millions have seen the world they know ripped apart around them.

"DEC member agencies are already responding, despite the appalling conditions on the ground, but we urgently need the public's help to fund our work.

"We recognise that these are difficult and uncertain times for many people in Scotland too, but we have no doubt that there will still be a strong desire to help."

Work already underway by DEC members and their partners includes:

In the Philippines:
Oxfam is helping 25,000 of the worst affected families by providing water and non-food items like blankets, soaps, cleaning equipment, clothes and water containers. Oxfam is also providing small cash grants and shelter.

Red Cross volunteers have rescued over 400 people from rooftops and high walls following flooding and provided hot meals and blankets.

Save the Children has already distributed hundreds of emergency kits to affected children-- which include essentials such as clothes and soap.

Age Concern and Help the Aged has worked with partners to deliver food and clothing.

In Indonesia:
Hundreds of Indonesia Red Cross volunteers are involved in search and rescue operations, providing first aid, and meeting water and sanitation needs.

Oxfam has sent an emergency response team to Padang, who are working with local partner organisations to distribute 5,000 tarpaulins for shelter, as well as 2,500 hygiene kits and clothes. Oxfam is also sending in JCBs to help with the clean up operation, two emergency water treatment units, with the capacity to supply clean drinking water to 26,000 people per day, together with hundreds of rolls of plastic sheeting for emergency shelter for those made homeless by the earthquake.

In Vietnam:
Oxfam plans to reach over 40,000 affected people with cash for food, household items and water supplies.

Anyone who wishes to stay up to date with developments in the affected countries, the emergency response and the fundraising efforts can follow the DEC on twitter at www.twitter.com/decappeal or become a fan of 'Disasters-Emergency-Committee-DEC' on Facebook.

The DEC consists of: ActionAid, British Red Cross, CAFOD, CARE International UK, Christian Aid, Concern Worldwide, Help the Aged, Islamic Relief, Merlin, Oxfam, Save the Children, Tearfund, World Vision.