Donations to Help Gaza Telethon exceed MVR 28.8 million

The total amount received by the Help Gaza Telethon, organised by Maldivian media organizations to raise funds for the people of Gaza, has exceeded MVR 28.8 million.

Spokesperson for Help Gaza Telethon Ahmed Zahir (Hiriga) told Sun Online that MVR 1 million was collected yesterday from groups that had promised sizable contributions, and that MR 400,000 remains pending.

“We believe that part of the remaining MVR 400,000 will be received today,” he said.

He said that the money collected to date includes MVR 28.4 million ($1.84 million) cash.

Zahir also said that discussions are ongoing with Qatar Red Crescent regarding delivering the money to the people of Gaza, and that the arrangements are expected to be finalised before the end of this month.

“We are also working on exchanging the money to US Dollar,” said Zahir, who also acts as Chief Editor of Sun Online.

The estimated collection by the 36-hour telethon held from 8 to 9 August, was MVR 20.7 million.

The fund-raising effort saw tremendous nation-wide support, including efforts by over 100 staff of Bank of Maldives (BML) who worked 21 hours at a stretch with collecting funds.