SA raises R10m for Syrian refugees
SOUTH Africans have raised more than R10 million in humanitarian aid to help desperate refugees in Syria, particularly in the beleaguered city of Aleppo.
A pledge line by the fiveday old NGO #OperationSA raised R10 028 953 within five hours for the #SAveSyria campaign, which was launched at the weekend following calls to assist victims in Aleppo and other parts of war-torn Syria.
The pledge line on ITV channel (DStv 347) and several radio stations saw almost 800 callers pledging.
The biggest single pledge was R2m from the Polokwane Muslim Trust Welfare Fund.
Scores of young children, some donating their spend- ing money, also called in. The money is to be distributed to seven local charities doing humanitarian work in Syria.
They are the Al-Imdaad Foundation, Africa Muslims Agency, Jamiatul-Ulama SA, Jamiatul-Ulama KZN, Al-Quds Foundation, Muslim Judicial Council and Islamic Relief SA.
Social activists Yusuf Abramjee, Yaseen Theba and Catherine Constantinides are among those behind #OperationSA. “South Africans and foreigners opened their hearts. The donations will go a long way to ease the pain and suffering,” said Abramjee.
“We witnessed ubuntu in action yet again. The response from the public has been amazing and we will ensure every rand is used for humanitarian relief such as food, blankets, medicines and shelter.”
Yaseen Theba from #OperationSA said the pledge line was a “major success”.
“The phones did not stop ringing. The shocking images from Syria also prompted many callers to donate. The amount raised in such a short time shows we are a caring nation,” said Theba, who directed the Call Centre Operations.
Donations can still be made at www.operationsa.org, SMS 0723 99 99 99 or via WhatsApp. – ANA