Maldives transfers MVR 19m raised in Palestine telethon to UNRWA

The Maldivian government has transferred MVR 19 million collected in a nationwide telethon to raise funds for Palestinians to the UN Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East (UNRWA).

The telethon, under the slogan “Falastheenaa Eku Dhivehin,” which translates to “Maldivians in Solidarity with Palestine,” was organized by the Public Service Media (PSM), in partnership with local media, at President Dr. Mohamed Muizzu’s request.

The telethon, held in June, raised MVR 19,309,468.02.

A spokesperson from the Foreign Ministry told Sun that the funds were transferred to the bank account of UNRWA through the Maldives Monetary Authority (MMA) on Tuesday.

Opening the telethon on June 12, President Muizzu appealed for Maldivians to show “extreme generosity” in assisting Palestinians.

He said that the Palestine conflict has escalated to an unprecedented level, and that no one should close their eyes to the dire situation.

President Muizzu said the situation in Palestine isn’t a conflict between two countries, adding that “being a Muslim means that a trouble that befalls one Muslim, is shared by the entire Ummah.”

He said that it is the duty of all Muslims to assist Palestine.

President Muizzu, and First Lady Sajidha Mohamed, were the first to donate during the telethon.

Various government ministries, as well as both state and private institutions and companies, and private citizens also made generous donations during the telethon.

The single biggest donation came from the Maldives National Defense Force, (MNDF), which contributed over MVR 2.1 million.

During the telethon, Maldivian Foreign Minister Moosa Zameer announced a tenfold increase in aid to Palestine, in light of devastating Israeli attacks.

He said that the Maldives had been making an annual donation of USD 5,000 to Palestine, but was increasing that figure to USD 50,000.

Israel’s current war on Gaza, which began on October 7th, last year, has killed more than 40,000 Palestinians, many of them women and children.

It has also reduced much of the Palestinian territory to rubble, displaced the vast majority of residents, and resulted in widespread malnutrition.