Somalia telethon collected Rs 2.5 million in Mauritius

The telethon organised to help famine-striken Somalia helped collect Rs 2.5 million.

The telethon was kick started on Tuesday by the minister of Energy and Public Utilities, Rashid Beebeejaun, minister of Local Government Hervé Aimée and many other MPs, at the Municipality of Port Louis at 9.30 am. It ended at 8 pm.

An atmosphere of solidarity reigned at the municipality throughout the day.

In addition to the event, some 149 donation boxes were also placed across Mauritius including 49 in Port Louis.

On this occasion, Beebeejaun stated, “Everyday we see dreadful pictures of Somalian children and woman dying of hunger. Hence, we cannot remain insensitive.”He recalled that in the past the island had helped Haïti,

Pakistan and Madagascar, which were victims of natural disasters. He also recalled that the government has donated Rs 5 million to Somalia.

The minister added that the famine in Somalia is a human tragedy that is occurring because of war, drought and also mismanagement by the government.He also noted that during the month of Ramadan, mosques had placed boxes to collect donations. He said that the money collected will be handed to the African Union.

Lord mayor Mamade Kodabaccus said that Somalia is suffering. “The United Nations has stated that the southern region of Somalia is affected by famine. In only southern
Somalia, at least 2.8 million people need urgent humanitarian assistance,” he said.

He added that 29,000 children have already died and 640,000 children are malnourished. Khodabaccus said that some diseases are also spreading in the country. The United Nations said that tens of thousands of people have died in the drought, the worst in Somalia in 60 years..