Saudis and expatriates rush to counters set up for collecting donations during the telethon. (AN photo by Amr Faris)

RIYADH, 24 October 2005 — Saudi Arabia has raised more than SR140 million in a telethon for earthquake survivors in Pakistan. Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Abdullah launched the effort on Saturday by giving SR10 million. Crown Prince Sultan donated SR5 million and businessman Prince Alwaleed ibn Talal gave SR20 million. The telethon was organized by Saudi Television in cooperation with the Al-Arabiya television channel.

Soon after the Oct. 8 catastrophe, King Abdullah ordered emergency aid of SR500 million for Pakistan in order to rebuild infrastructure facilities including schools, hospitals and roads in quake-hit areas.

Other major donors included: Interior Minister Prince Naif (SR3 million), Riyadh Governor Prince Salman and Saudi British Bank (SR1 million each). Donations from other private Saudi companies, charitable organizations and individuals are still coming in.

Prince Abdul Rahman, deputy minister of defense and aviation, donated 100,000 sq. meter-land in Riyadh worth SR30 million to the fund. Prince Alwaleed, chairman of Kingdom Holding, said: “The two-fold donation consisted of tents, blankets, medicine and cash.” A package of medical supplies valued at SR5 million, 10,000 tents worth SR6 million and 30,000 blankets valued at SR3 million in addition to SR6 million in cash amounts to SR20 million in donations.

Prince Alwaleed said: “Our contributions are meant to ease the suffering of our brothers and sisters in Pakistan and we pray for their hardships to be alleviated. We believe that humanitarian aid is a responsibility shared by all and that it transcends religion, race and geographic boundaries.”

According to the Saudi Press Agency, by 2.45 a.m. yesterday, total donations had reached SR121.24 million.

The Riyadh Chamber of Commerce and Industry yesterday urged businessmen and companies to contribute generously in response to the king’s appeal. “The Saudi business sector has always responded positively in dealing with humanitarian issues,” said Abdul Rahman Al-Jeraisy, chairman of the chamber.

Pakistanis in the Kingdom expressed their happiness at the tremendous support from the Saudi government and people to the quake victims. “We will not forget the Kingdom’s humanitarian gesture which will remain in our hearts for years to come,” they said. The Pakistanis said they would extend all possible assistance, both cash and kind, to the quake victims.