Function held to handover the proceeds of ‘Maldives for Japan’

A function was hosted at Dharubaaruge, last night by the Male’ City Mayor, Adam Manik (Sarangu) to handover the proceeds of the ‘Maldives for Japan’ telethon fundraiser, which raised near 1 million UD dollars and 119,507 fish cans in less than 37 hours for quake and disaster hit Japan.

The participants observed a minute of silence during the function to show solidarity with the Japanese people, following the massive earthquake and tsunami which caused huge devastation and a widespread loss of life in Japan.

In his opening remarks, highlighting Japan’s assistance and support for the development of the Maldives, Male’ City Mayor Adam Manik said that that every Maldivian expressed their solidarity with the Japanese people regarding the tragic earthquake and tsunami that devastated the country.

Adam Manik said that Japan has been the biggest bilateral donor of the Maldives. He noted with the differences between the two countries, Maldives and Japan share a vulnerable ecology and both the people are friendly. He also noted that Maldives was the first country to announce a public effort to help the people of Japan.

President Mohamed Nasheed graced the function as Chief Guest and handed over the symbolic offering of the proceeds of the telethon fundraiser to Japanese Ambassador to the Maldives, Kunio Takahashi.

In his address, the President underscored the Maldives close and longstanding relationship with Japan. The President said every Maldivian shared in the Japanese people’s sorrow during this time of great tragedy although it will be understood that the Maldives being a small country the endeavor was modest. He reiterated that what matters is the idea to help the people of Japan who have always have consideration for the people of Maldives.

The President highlighted that Japan has been one of the strongest allies of the Maldives that continues to assist and support the Maldives’ development.

Ambassador Kunio Takahashi expressed his gratitude to the endeavour of the government and the people of Maldives to help his people who were hit by the tragic earthquake and subsequent tsunami which caused a huge devastation and loss of life. He said that the Japanese people are still plagued by the aftershocks of the tsunami which caused several explosions and radiation leakage at a nuclear power plant.

Meanwhile, Japan and Maldives established diplomatic relations during November 1967. Since then Japan has been assisting Maldives financially, educationally,etc. MIFCO, which processes the tuna fish cans donated to the relief fund yesterday, were also established with the aid of Japan.