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As lockdown begins to lift gradually in the UK, millions of lives remain at stake as COVID-19 hits refugee camps and war-torn countries such as Yemen, Syria and South Sudan.

In partnership with PayPal, the Disasters Emergency Committee (DEC) has launched its Coronavirus Appeal in order to support international efforts to respond to the coronavirus pandemic, through the work of its 14 member charities, including the British Red Cross, Oxfam, Save the Children and ActionAid.

This appeal is supporting the most fragile places in the world. Refugees and families who have fled violence and hunger desperately need our help. With many now living in crowded refugee and displacement camps, they have little access to medical care, clean water or enough food, making them extremely vulnerable to coronavirus.  With a lack of hospital beds or sufficient supplies to treat those who contract the virus, COVID-19 is likely to be even more deadly.

Simple measures can make a huge difference - but we need to act now.

Here is how your donation, big or small, could help save lives and protect millions of vulnerable people:

• Provide families with clean water, soap and information on keeping themselves safe
• Provide frontline medical and aid workers with equipment and supplies to care for the vulnerable and sick
• Ensure families get enough food to prevent malnutrition, particularly amongst children

Those who have already suffered so much need your help now, more than ever.

Support the DEC now by donating to PayPal Giving Fund UK[1] which grants 100% of donations to charity. UK taxpayers can also add a Gift Aid declaration to your PayPal account to boost your donation by 25% at no extra cost.

If you need help at any point, please visit our PayPal Help Centre.

You can also find further information regarding DEC charities and the appeal on their dedicated coronavirus page here.