Government is donating USD 50 000 to Syria and Turkey following the devastating earthquake that hit those two countries, announced the Prime Minister, Mr Pravind Kumar Jugnauth, this morning, as he participated in the Teledon 2023 at the Municipal Council of Port Louis.

The Teledon 2023, an initiative of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Regional Integration and International Trade, and the Ministry of Social Integration, Social Security and National Solidarity, aims at raising funds for Syrian and Turkish victims following the earthquake which struck their countries on 06 February 2023.

The Vice-Prime Minister, Minister of Local Government and Disaster Risk Management, Dr Mohammad Anwar Husnoo, the Minister of Social Integration, Social Security and National Solidarity, Mrs Fazila Jeewa-Daureeawoo, the Lord Mayor, Mr Mahfooz Moussa Cader Saib, and other personalities were present on this occasion.

In his address, Prime Minister Jugnauth recalled that more than 50 000 persons lost their lives and a large number of buildings were destroyed in the devastating earthquake which struck Turkey and Syria. He highlighted that this Teledon is being organised as Mauritius is not insensible to the difficulties faced by Turkish and Syrian victims.

The Prime Minister thus appealed to organisations, institutions and the public at large to be generous and participate in the Teledon 2023 as per their means. This contribution will help support earthquake victims in both countries, he added.

Furthermore, he seized this opportunity to commend all those who have already contributed through the Teledon 2023 or who intend to do so.

As for Minister Jeewa-Daureeawoo, she underlined that Teledon boxes have been placed in Municipal Councils, District Councils, as well as in Post Offices around the country. A hotline, 8923, has been created to receive donation pledge, while donations can also be done by SMS, QR Code and bank transfers.

She moreover appealed to citizens to be compassionate and donate generously in the wake of the magnitude of this natural disaster.