 Melinda Messenger helped staff the appeal phone lines |
A UK charity appeal to raise money for those facing starvation in Niger raised �5.4m on the first night of its launch. By Wednesday morning, more than 130,000 people had donated money to the Niger Crisis Appeal, the Disasters Emergency Committee (DEC) said.
Celebrities including model Melinda Messenger and singer Myleene Klass helped field calls from the public.
A locust plague followed by drought has blighted Niger and neighbouring west African countries.
At least 2.5 million people in Niger are facing food shortages while 800,000 children are at risk from hunger and malnutrition.
According to the Red Cross, the problem could spread across the region with almost eight million people at risk of hunger in Niger, Mali, Mauritania and Burkina Faso.
The DEC - an umbrella organisation comprising 13 of the UK's major aid agencies - says at least �8m is needed for vital supplies.
'Digging deep'
Short films fronted by actor Dougray Scott and presenter Jeremy Vine were shown on the BBC and ITV on Tuesday as the appeal opened for telephone and online donations.
Posters have also been unveiled in high street banks.
"We are very moved as the British public once again dug deep," said Brendan Gormley, chief executive of the DEC.
"The money already raised will mean that DEC members can increase their activities in distributing food and medical supplies to those most in need."
Donations to the DEC Niger Crisis Appeal can be made at www.dec.org.uk, by phoning the Disasters Emergency Committee on 0870 60 60 900, or by posting cheques to DEC Niger Crisis Appeal, PO Box 999, EC3A 3AA. Donations can also be made by going into any high street post office or bank.
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