RIYADH, 20 October — A live telethon organized by Saudi Television on Thursday for the Afghan people has raised SR135 million. Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Fahd and Crown Prince Abdullah, deputy premier and commander of the National Guard, have donated SR34 million and SR5 million respectively.
"The telethon reflected the solidarity the Saudi people feel with their Afghan brethren," the Saudi Press Agency said. King Fahd last week ordered an emergency $10 million shipment of relief aid to Afghan refugees. Five planeloads of aid have already landed in northern Pakistan.
The television panel set up especially for the telethon yesterday received hundreds of calls from Saudis living abroad. Many people in neighboring Arab and Gulf countries also made generous contributions.
The assistance is meant to help 7.5 million Afghan refugees whose situation has drastically worsened since the UN was forced to cease operation in the country after Sept. 11 terror attacks on the United States.
Residents can deposit their donations in account No. 80 for Afghan refugees at any branch of the National Commercial Bank.
