Campaign raises MVR 1.1m for quake hit Turkey, Syria

A campaign launched by religious scholars and civil society organisations to help families in Turkey and Syria affected by the recent earthquake have collected MVR 1.1 million and handed over the money to the International Aid Campaign (IAC) on Monday.

Fund boxes were set up in mosques and some public places in the Greater Male Region on Friday for the event, which was held to raise funds to help Syria and Turkey earthquake survivors. Some islands have also contributed money to the fund.

The campaign, which included the possibility of online cash transfers , received more than MVR 700,000 in cash and MVR 400,000 in transfers, the organisers of the movement said.

At least 45,000 people have been killed and tens of thousands have been displaced by earthquakes in Turkey and Syria. Religious leaders and civil society organisations in the country handed over the proceeds of Friday's event to the International Aid Campaign, the movement said.

The money will be used to provide food and aid to the needy in Syria and Turkey.

All the scholars  present at the ceremony to hand over the funds to the IAC expressed their gratitude for the example shown by the Maldivians in providing financial assistance.

More than MVR 4 million has been donated to the victims of the earthquake through the IAC and Red Crescent.