The appeal, launched on Wednesday, has already raised £3,889, enough to buy 105 emergency hygiene kits or 883 blankets, essential medicines for 7,700 children or 77,000 syringes for administering drugs.

Edward Carwardine, spokesman for Sussex-based UNICEF, said: "The response has been staggering and heartwarming.

"It has taken me nearly an hour to open all the cheques and it is the most enjoyable hour I have spent in a long time."

UNICEF has begun working with the International Red Cross, setting up monitoring centres to register parents who have lost their children or vice versa.

It has already delivered 1,200 baby hygiene parcels containing soap, baby shampoo, cream and detergent to the Macedonian Red Cross, which has been distributing to families hosting refugees.

Another 1,000 baby parcels were received by host families in Testovo and Gostivar and a planeload of medical supplies has arrived from UNICEF including rehydration salts, blankets and needles and syringes.

UNICEF has also set up a credit card pledge line for the appeal on 01424 220956.

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