Pakistan telethon takes its final shot at target

ABU DHABI // Organisers of a six-day national telethon to raise money for Pakistani flood victims hope to raise a further Dh23m in tonight's finale. The nationwide campaign, which started last Wednesday, raised Dh5m last night, taking the total donated to over Dh77 million. Organisers said they still plan to raise a total of Dh100m by the end of the telethon, being broadcast from 9.30pm to 10.30pm tonight.

The campaign was originally scheduled for three days, but was extended to allow for extra funds to be raised after the target was not reached. "We felt that the situation in Pakistan is very bad and needs more aid from our side, so we decided to extend the telethon," said Abdulraheem al Bateeh, the director of news at Abu Dhabi TV, part of the Abu Dhabi Media Company, which owns The National. The telethon can be seen on Abu Dhabi al Emarat, National Geographic Abu Dhabi, Sama Dubai, Dunia al Faujairah, RAK and Sharjah TV. The Lebanese singer Carol Smaha and the Lebanese actress Jumana Murad star of numerous Syrian and Egyptian soap operas, appeared in the final episodes.

Short segments featuring other famous actorsissuing "calls of relief" have also been airing between programmes. The RCA will be sending two planes carrying 35 tonnes of supplies to flood victims in Peshawar today and tomorrow, according to WAM, the state news agency. An RCA field team has been dispatched to assess needs on the ground. Donations can be made through the toll free number 800RED or 800733, by SMS or directly to one of the RCA account numbers in Abu Dhabi Islamic Bank, Dubai Isalmic Bank or Sharjah Islamic Bank.

@Email:[e-mail] * Additional reporting by Matt Kwong