Denmark leads the way, great support given to Syria fundraising drive

On the picture HE Ole Moesby, Ambassador of Denmark to the Netherlands.

Denmark leads the way, great support given to Syria fundraising drive.

A big fundraising show on TV Sunday evening (20 Sept 2015) hosted by the two biggest national tv-stations, the Danish people donated more than 13 mil. US$ (DKK 86,271,606) to be split between 12 aid agencies. The many contributions from individuals, companies and foundations to the urgent fundraiser ‘Hjælp nu!’ to areas in an around Syria generated over 86 million Danish kroner ($13 million). The money is now distributed to humanitarian organisations, which as soon as possible will distribute the funds to the affected areas.

A week of urgent fundraising for the disaster-struck areas in and around Syria culminated Sunday evening in the fundraising event ‘Hjælp nu!,’ which aired simultaneously on DR1 and TV 2 in close collaboration with 12 humanitarian organisations.

During the evening, correspondents from DR and TV 2 delivered eyewitness reports from the situation in the Middle East. In Denmark a number of famous Danes occurred on stage and in the call centre to support the fundraiser. The support from individuals, companies and foundations was great and when the hosts of the fundraiser – TV 2’s Cecilie Beck and DR’s Kåre Quist – presented the overall result, a total amount of 86.271.505 Danish kroner was raised.

Going to make a big difference

“We are extremely happy that the Danes have supported with just over 86 million Danish kroner. It is truly overwhelming and the Danes have shown once again that they are ready to help, when help is needed. The money is going to make a huge difference for the Syrians, who today live in decrepit buildings, often can’t get food and have to face the fifth winter, since the war began. So we want to thank the many Danes who have supported ‘Hjælp Nu!’ We are very happy and grateful for the contributions and we will immediately start distributing the money to the Syrian refugees,” says Andreas Kamm, Secretary-General of the Danish Refugee Council.

Distributed to 12 organisations

The money from the fundraiser will be distributed to the 12 organisations involved in the fundraiser. Subsequently the organisations will convert the money to emergency aid in the areas in an around Syria. The aid will both focus on addressing the immediate humanitarian needs caused by the war – that is food, water, medical care, housing and access to education – but also projects that can help to ensure the Syrian refugees a future, where they can fend for themselves.