The people of Northern Ireland are the most generous in the UK according to the Disasters Emergency Committee (DEC).

The umbrella organisation for 13 of the UK’s leading aid agencies today revealed that the Northern Irish public have donated on average £10 more per person than any other part of the UK.

The DEC Congo appeal has raised over £4m in the UK since launching on Thursday. There were over 25,000 donations on the first day alone, with money continuing to come in over the course of the weekend.

Brendan Gormley, Chief Executive of the DEC said: “The generosity of the British public, and particularly the Northern Irish, has been fantastic, especially considering the current economic climate.

"This money has a real effect on the ground and we need your continuing support to help even more individuals and families displaced, hurt or separated in the current crisis.”

The money raised through the DEC appeal goes straight to the member agencies, many of whom have a long history of working in the Congo.

The new influx of donations will allow them to scale up their operations in the region according to CAFOD spokesperson Nana Anto-Awuakye,

“Today our first shipment of humanitarian aid will finally reach Rutshuru, with distribution of crucial supplies to around 12,500 people in desperate need.”

To make a donation to the DEC Congo (DR) Crisis appeal call 0370 60 60 900, visit http://www.dec.org.uk or donate over the counter at any post office or high street bank.