The Pakistan earthquake appeal was among the campaigns this year

Nearly 80% of the population responded to appeals after events such as the Asian tsunami, West Africa food crisis, London bombs and Pakistan earthquake.

A survey suggested 2.2 million people, one in every 20 people in Britain, donated to every major disaster or emergency appeal made during the year.

ICM spoke to 1,043 people by telephone between 30 November and 1 December.

"This year has been unprecedented in terms of the disasters and the response we have had," said Matthias Schmale, international director at the British Red Cross.

"These survey findings confirm what we have known for a while - that the British public have been consistently generous this year when faced with disasters and emergencies be they thousands of miles away such as the tsunami or closer to home such as the London bombings."

'Well spent'

A Charity Commission survey indicated most people making donations believed their money was being well spent.

The Red Cross survey found 96% donors to its appeal following the tsunami on 26 December last year said that they trusted that their money was being spent effectively.

The UK's Disasters Emergency Committee Appeal following the tsunami raised about �372m, of which more than �59m was received by the British Red Cross.

The Earthquake and Flood Appeal run by the British Red Cross Asia raised an additional �26m, including �3.5m from the UK government.