Voluntary donations from the public to the third world charity, Concern, rose by 45 per cent last year, to bring the organisation's income to £25 million.
The charity's annual review shows that direct voluntary donations from the public accounted for £11.9 million of its income in 1998.
Overall income was up by 15 per cent, aided by a significant increase in international co-funding. The EU was the largest co-funder, providing £2.698 million, followed by the Government, which provided £2.683 million. The British government gave the charity £1.661 million.
Concern's chief executive, Mr David Begg, said the public had responded to his organisation's work with tremendous generosity. With 87p of every £1 donated going directly to Concern's emergency relief and development work, the donating public could be assured their money was sent precisely where it was intended, he said.
The development agency was currently working in 20 countries, and its workload continued to rise, Mr Begg said, and it was clear this trend would continue into the future. "Our capacity to meet these future demands is dependent upon money and people."
While it was possible to raise money for high-profile emergencies, most of the countries where Concern worked were of no strategic importance and so attracted little media attention, thereby making their fund-raising work very difficult, Mr Begg said.
"Perhaps we should now examine the possibility of establishing formal links with agencies that share our values, in order to enhance our capacity to respond," he said. "There is no doubt that such an initiative would enjoy widespread public support."