A worrying silence from charities as refugee crisis continues

A poster for the Disasters Emergency Committee tsunami earthquake appeal in 2004. But David Connell is asking why there is no such appeal for those now fleeing to Europe. Photograph: John Stillwell/PA

There’s a loud silence coming from our charities at the moment: where’s the effort to help the vast numbers of refugees and migrants coming across the Mediterranean? Oxfam tell me it is helping in southern Italy and is thinking about all the rest. Suffering at this level usually involves charities putting out a joint request for funds. What’s happened? Or not happened? Is politics getting in the way?
Stephanie Palmer
London

• As I follow the refugee tragedy spreading across Europe, I ask myself why has there been no Disasters Emergency Committee appeal to which I can contribute. It could be us next time.
David Connell
Saffron Walden, Essex