The Ministry of Foreign Affairs announced that USD 1.2 million raised from the "Falastheenaa emu Dhivehin" telethon was transferred to the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestinian Refugees (UNRWA) on August 20.

In a statement issued last night, the Ministry noted, that under the guidance of President Dr Mohamed Muizzu, Public Service Media (PSM) transferred the funds from the national telethon to UNRWA on August 20.

The telethon, launched on June 12, aimed to support the Palestinian people. Coordinated by PSM with the media, the telethon ran from 8 a.m. to 12 p.m., with 13 collection boxes placed around Malé. The total funds raised reached USD 1,248,826.56, confirmed by Crow Maldives LLP audit firm.

The Ministry emphasized that the significant donations from Maldivians highlight the nation’s strong support for Palestinian independence, especially during challenging times. The Maldivian government has consistently condemned Israel’s actions, including ethnic cleansing and breaches of international law, on various platforms.

Additionally, the Ministry reported ongoing discussions with UNRWA on using the funds for both short-term and long-term projects to aid Palestinians. The Ministry also shared the central bank’s 'Debit Advice' and transaction details from JPMorgan, verifying the transfer to the UNRWA for Palestine account.