Disasters Emergency Committee
Also known as: Dec, Dec Secretariat, The Dec
DEC brings together 15 of the UK's leading humanitarian agencies. At times of major humanitarian crisis, DEC works with its members, broadcast and other partners to launch a fundraising appeal to the UK public. The proceeds of each appeal are distributed to DEC's member agencies to enable them to deliver humanitarian programmes to help those most affected.
Activities & Mission
DEC brings together 15 of the UK's leading humanitarian agencies. At times of major humanitarian crisis, DEC works with its members, broadcast and other partners to launch a fundraising appeal to the UK public. The proceeds of each appeal are distributed to DEC's member agencies to enable them to deliver humanitarian programmes to help those most affected.
Areas of Operation
Where this charity is registered to operate, as self-declared to the Charity Commission. These are regulatory classifications, not a list of active programmes, and don't necessarily indicate fundraising activity in each location.
Local Authority
Financial Information
Financial Efficiency
Higher than 98% of UK Arts charities with income over £10M (sample: 125). How is this calculated?
Higher than 44% of UK Arts charities with income over £10M. How is this calculated?
Lower overhead than 28% of UK Arts charities with income over £10M. (Lower overhead is generally read as more efficient.) How is this calculated?
Latest Financial Breakdown
Income Sources
Expenditure Categories
Financial Trend
Annual Returns
As filed with the Charity Commission for England and Wales. Most recent filing covers the financial year ending 2025.
One or more years show a significant change in income (over ±100%) compared with the prior year. This usually reflects a merger, transfer of activities, restated accounts, or a one-off legacy — not necessarily a real change in operating scale. See the methodology for context.
The Commission record shows these related events on the register:
- Asset transfer in in 2025 — The Hbj Trust (organisation 5087655)
- Asset transfer in in 2024 — Breadfruit Line (organisation 5092180)
- Asset transfer in in 2023 — The Sanctuary Charitable Trust (organisation 1055406)
- Asset transfer in in 2022 — Ida Mortlock Sadler Trust (organisation 257972)
| Financial Year | Income | Expenditure | Charitable Spending | Net Assets | Reserves | Staff |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | £50,801,000 | £61,795,000 | £56,383,000 | £28,073,000 | £17,750,000 | 37 / 0 |
| 2024 | £32,906,000 | £53,688,000 | £48,655,000 | £39,094,000 | £18,000,000 | 38 / 0 |
| 2023 | £215,698,000 | £262,430,000 | £251,931,000 | £59,876,000 | £20,612,000 | 29 / 0 |
| 2022 | £274,291,000 | £180,420,000 | £172,581,000 | £106,608,000 | £12,231,000 | 21 / 0 |
| 2021 | £33,103,000 | £24,666,000 | £20,636,000 | £12,737,000 | £1,700,000 | 21 / 0 |
Staff column shows: Employees / Volunteers
Frequently asked questions about Disasters Emergency Committee
What does Disasters Emergency Committee do?
DEC brings together 15 of the UK's leading humanitarian agencies. At times of major humanitarian crisis, DEC works with its members, broadcast and other partners to launch a fundraising appeal to the UK public. The proceeds of each appeal are distributed to DEC's member agencies to enable them to deliver humanitarian programmes to help those most affected.
How much income did Disasters Emergency Committee report in 2025?
Disasters Emergency Committee reported total income of £50.80m and reported expenditure of £61.80m for the financial year ending 2025, based on the most recent annual return filed with the Charity Commission.
How efficient is Disasters Emergency Committee?
Disasters Emergency Committee has a program ratio of 111.0%, meaning that share of its income goes directly to charitable activities. This is higher than 98% of UK Arts charities with income over £10M (sample of 125 charities). See our methodology for how this is calculated.
When was Disasters Emergency Committee registered as a charity?
Disasters Emergency Committee was registered with the Charity Commission for England and Wales on 4 June 1997 as charity number 1062638. It has been registered for 29 years.
Who runs Disasters Emergency Committee?
Disasters Emergency Committee is governed by a board of 21 trustees. The chair of trustees is Michael Francis Jermey. Trustees are legally responsible for the charity's governance and are listed in full on its profile.
Where does Disasters Emergency Committee operate?
Disasters Emergency Committee operates in Camden, as recorded in its Charity Commission filing.
Is Disasters Emergency Committee a registered charity?
Yes — Disasters Emergency Committee is a registered charity in England and Wales, charity number 1062638.
Details
London
N1 7GT
Registry Information
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Trustees
Also governs 2 other charities
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Also governs 1 other charity
Also governs 1 other charity
Sectors & Classifications
Also Known As
- Dec
- Dec Secretariat
- The Dec
Data & trust
- Register data refreshed
- 14 May 2026
- Methodology
- How metrics are calculated