MVR 3.8M raised for Pakistan in telethon handed over to High Commission

MVR 3.8 million raised for the victims of Pakistan flooding has been handed over to High Commissioner of Pakistan to Maldives Vice Admiral (Retired) Ather Mukhtar.

The 18-hour telethon spearheaded by Pakistan Maldives Friendship Association (PMFA) was held on October 1.

Six volunteering organizations and nine local media outlets participated in the efforts to help Pakistan. The telethon was well received across the nation. Fund boxes were kept in different areas of Male’ City, and some islands for easy access to donations.

Speaking to Sun, PMFA’s President Masood Imad underscored having received great support from government for the telethon. He also noted support from local media outlets, and extended his gratitude respectively. Masood also thanked Bank of Maldives (BML) for their support for the telethon.

Pointing out that the donations mainly came from ordinary citizens – he stressed lack of participation than expected despite the number of wealthy people across the nation.

Masood also thanked National Centre for the Holy Quran and Girl Guides Association of Maldives. In this regard, he detailed that the fund box kept at National Centre for the Holy Quran saw almost MVR 50,000 in donations within just a day. Meanwhile, Girl Guide Association through volunteer work secured MVR 235,000.

Noting contributions by Maldives National University (MNU), Ooredoo Maldives, Dhiraagu and International Aid Campaign – Masood said that gratitude is deserved for everyone who were a part of the activity.

The monsoon rains and flooding, which many experts say are fueled by climate change, have affected 33 million people across Pakistan and claimed over 1,500 lives. With two million homes across the country damaged or destroyed, about half a million flood survivors are homeless, living in tents and makeshift structures.

Pakistan estimates loss due to flooding at USD 40 billion.