JEDDAH, 22 October 2005 — A major telethon will be conducted by Al-Arabiya channel today in association with Saudi Television to raise funds for the victims of the massive earthquake in Pakistan.
Saudi Television will air reports by Al-Arabiya correspondents in the affected areas in an effort to mobilize relief aid and raise donations for the quake victims.
The Saudi government has already offered SR500 million in emergency aid to reconstruct infrastructure facilities such as schools, hospitals and roads and sent planeloads of relief supplies to quake-hit areas.
Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Abdullah has issued an order to start a Kingdomwide fund-raising campaign for the quake victims under the supervision of Interior Minister Prince Naif. The campaign will start today.
Prince Naif has instructed regional governors to carry out the king's order and asked businessmen and philanthropists to donate generously.
The governorates will identify the areas where donations could be collected.
The Oct. 8 quake left nearly 50,000 people dead, around 74,000 injured, and over three million homeless.
The United Nations has received $57 million in firm, legally binding commitments and $33 million in promises, toward its $312 million appeal for Pakistan.
