JEDDAH, 2 November 2005 — Saudi Arabia raised more than SR265 million in a nationwide fund-raising campaign ordered by Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Abdullah for Pakistan’s quake victims, Interior Minister Prince Naif announced yesterday.
Prince Naif, supervisor of the fund-raising campaign, said Saudi individuals and organizations had also contributed more than 1,450 tons of foodstuff and other relief supplies for the quake victims. He thanked all donors.
Dr. Saaed Al-Harithy, chairman of the relief committee, said they were still receiving donations. He urged businessmen and philanthropists to contribute generously to the fund. The Oct. 8 earthquake killed more than 50,000 people and left nearly three million homeless.
The committee has already sent a large relief convoy of 100 containers with foodstuffs, blankets and tents and plans to send more convoys in the coming days.
King Abdullah had earlier ordered emergency aid worth SR500 million for Pakistan in order to rebuild infrastructure such as schools and hospitals in the devastated areas.
