The Mauritian population has donated a sum of Rs 6, 149,156 to Turkey and Syria through the Teledon organised on 28 February 2023 following the devastating earthquake that hit these two countries.

The amount collected was communicated by the Minister of Social Integration, Social Security and National Solidarity, Mrs Fazila Jeewa-Daureeawoo, this afternoon, during a press conference at the seat of her Ministry in Port Louis, in the presence of the Lord Mayor of the Municipal Council of Port Louis, Mr Mahfooz Moussa Cader Saib, and other personalities.

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

The Minister highlighted that this earthquake has caused extreme destruction to both human and material resources adding that the Teledon would help support these countries in their reconstruction. The Government of Mauritius, she underlined, has donated a sum of USD 50,000, amounting to some Rs 2 million, thereby totaling the sum raised by the Government and the population to Rs 8,149,156.

Mrs Jeewa-Daureeawoo thanked all those who have contributed to reaching this sum through the Teledon 2023 and recalled that those who have not yet contributed or want to contribute again can do so electronically up to 05 March 2023.

She commended the population and institutions such as the Municipal Council of Port Louis, Business Mauritius, Ascencia, and Mauritius Telecom for their compassion and generous contribution. The Minister further indicated that procedures to send the money to these two countries will be discussed at the Cabinet and communicated afterward.