# Charity Commission publishes guidance on disaster relief appeals

- Link: https://fundraising.co.uk/2012/09/04/charity-commission-publishes-guidance-disaster-relief-appeals/
- Published: 2012-09-04T09:44:53+01:00
- Author: Howard Lake

**The Charity Commission has published guidance on starting, running and supporting
charitable disaster appeals. The advice is directed both at charities and members
of the public wishing to give money or set up fundraising activities in response
to a disaster or humanitarian crisis.**

With information on the legal and best practice framework for charitable appeals,
the guidance points out that people can support relief efforts without necessarily
setting up new charities. Indeed, the Commission recommends that “often the best
way to help in the aftermath of a disaster is to give money, time or skills to existing
charities which already have systems in place.”

At the heart of the guidance is the need to encourage effective giving to current
and future appeals, and to protect public trust and confidence in charities. For
example, it includes advice for trustees and on how to recognise and prevent fraud
that may affect a charity or its appeal.

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## The importance of wording

The guidance emphasises the importance of wording appeals in a way that lets the
public know exactly what they are supporting. Charities should, for example, make
clear what they can achieve realistically, and what will happen to any surplus funds.

## The Commission and the Disasters Emergency Committee

The guidance is based on lessons learned from a number of disaster appeals and relief
campaigns over the past 10 years, including the Haiti earthquake, Pakistan floods
and the Japanese tsunami. The Commission has worked with the Disasters Emergency
Committee (DEC) to ensure that key lessons have informed the new guidance.

 * **[Plan UK joins Disasters Emergency Committee](https://fundraising.co.uk/2011/07/03/plan-uk-joins-disasters-emergency-committee/)(
   3 July 2011)**

Kathryn Hindley, Deputy Chief Executive of the DEC, said:

“The DEC welcomes the [Charity Commission](http://www.charitycommission.gov.uk)’
s new guidance on disaster relief appeals. The increased prevalence of the internet
and social media over the last decade has made disasters more visible and we have
seen an increased desire in people wanting to help. This makes the proper administration
of disaster relief appeals of fundamental importance, to ensure money donated is
being used where it is intended. The new guidance should help make this process 
clear so that resources can be more focused on disaster relief.”

 * **[Finding committed donors from disaster responders](https://fundraising.co.uk/2015/04/29/finding-committed-donors-from-disaster-responders/)**(
   29 April 2015)
 * **[Airbnb features Nepal appeal on its front page](https://fundraising.co.uk/2015/05/03/airbnb-features-nepal-appeal-on-its-front-page/)**(
   3 May 2015)
 * **[The Big Give raises over £750k for Nepal earthquake victims](https://fundraising.co.uk/2015/05/06/the-big-give-raises-over-750k-for-nepal-earthquake-victims/)**(
   6 May 2015)