The government of Maldives has officially announced its decision to increase its annual contribution to the United Nations Relief Works Agency for Palestinian Refugees in the Near East (UNRWA), tenfold.

The Maldivian government pledged a contribution of more than USD 1.29 million to Palestine through UNRWA at the UNRWA Pledging Conference held on Friday at the UN Headquarters.

The pledge was announced through a statement delivered by Permanent Representative of the Maldives to UN, Dr. Ali Naseer Mohamed.

Noting that the Maldivian government has increased its annual contribution to UNRWA ten-fold, Ambassador Mohamed stated that the island nation will be donating USD 50,000 henceforth.

The government earlier donated USD 5,000 to the fund, annually.

Highlighting that the government had organized a telethon in collaboration with Public Service Media (PSM), the ambassador stated that telethon focused on expressing solidarity with the innocent civilians of Palestine.

The ambassador announced that a total of MVR 18.4 million and USD 49,800 were raised through the telethon.

Shedding light on the pivotal role played by UNRWA in providing crucial services and emergency assistance to Palestinians, particularly in Gaza, where the humanitarian situation is extremely dire, the ambassador urged the international community to fulfil its financial and political obligations to UNRWA.

The funds raised as part of the nationwide fundraising telethon campaign to help Palestinians, were officially handed over to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs on 3 July 2024.

The cheque was officially handed over to Minister of Foreign Affairs Moosa Zameer by PSM.

The nationwide fundraising telethon campaign was titled “Falastheenaa Eku Dhivehin” which translated means “Maldivians with Palestine” and was organized by PSM in collaboration with other local media outlets. 13 donation boxes were been set up in several areas of the capital Greater Malé Region, as part of this telethon. Those who were unable to visit these areas to make a donation had the opportunity to make online deposits as well.

The funds raised through the telethon will reach Palestine through the foreign ministry and UNRWA.

UNRWA was established under a 1948 United Nations Assembly decision, in a bid to aid the people of Palestine.

The foreign ministry revealed that once the funds reach UNRWA, it will be shared with PSM as well as auditors who carried out the work, and that the information will be publicized.

An independent auditor was appointed to ensure the transparent administration of the telethon, upon the president’s instructions. This will ensure the proceeds of the event reach Palestine as intended.

The government initially announced its decision to increase its annual contribution to UNRWA during the telethon.