OMNI Television Broadcast Special - Canada for Pakistan: Flood Relief Appeal Raises a Record $247,000
THE CANADIAN GOVERNMENT MATCHED 100% OF FUNDS RAISED BY THE APPEAL
BRINGING THE TOTAL AMOUNT RAISED TO ALMOST HALF A MILLION DOLLARS FOR
FLOOD RELIEF IN PAKISTAN
TORONTO, Oct 6 /CNW/ – OMNI Television viewers generously donated
an impressive $247,000 during the two hour, commercial-free broadcast
special Canada for Pakistan: Flood Relief Appeal that aired this
past Sunday on OMNI stations in Ontario, Alberta and BC. The
funds raised during this appeal have surpassed dollars raised by any
other appeal or telethon on OMNI Television.
“Canada for Pakistan: Flood Relief Appeal was a record
breaking fundraising success for OMNI Television,” commented Madeline
Ziniak, National Vice President, OMNI Television. “We are extremely
grateful for the collaboration of IDRF, RBC and Multicultural Society of
Pakistani Canadians and the generosity of OMNI viewers who helped make
this donation possible.”
The money raised by the appeal has been matched by the Canadian
government, which means that the people of Pakistan will receive almost
$400,000 in aid through the International Development & Relief
Foundation (IDRF). Now 16,000 families, or approximately 64,000 people,
can get enough clean water, food, hygiene items and medication for an
entire week. An additional, $100,000 of the total amount raised during
the appeal will go to support other aid efforts on the ground in
Pakistan.
In partnership with the IDRF, RBC and Multicultural Society of Pakistani
Canadians, the appeal produced and broadcast by OMNI Television
featured personal and touching stories from people affected by the flood
in different ways, as well as inspirational accounts of relief efforts
from a variety of experts, physicians and organizations. The broadcast
set out to raise much needed funds to help aid over 20 million people
who have been affected by the flooding in Pakistan that began in July.
Currently in Pakistan, more than 10 million people are in immediate need
of food and assistance, over 1.5 million are living in relief and
temporary camps and 1.8 million houses have been damaged or destroyed.
The flooding is also affecting the health and lives of millions as more
than 1,750 people have been killed and over 5 million people are seeking
health care for conditions including suspected malaria, acute
respiratory infection, acute diarrhea and skin disease. The floods have
also affected an estimated 45,000 pregnant women.
IDRF has already raised over $2.5 million and has been providing food,
clean drinking water, medical care, hygiene kits, and basic sanitation
for the millions of people affected by the flooding. These generous
donations from viewers will help IDRF expand its reach providing more
services to a larger geographical area.
About IDRF
The International Development and Relief Foundation
(IDRF) is a registered Canadian charity dedicated to empowering the
disadvantaged people of the world through emergency relief and
development programs. IDRF was established over 25 years ago, and its
work is based on the principles of human dignity, self-reliance and
social justice.
About Multicultural Society of Pakistani Canadians
Multicultural
Society of Pakistani Canadians has been in existence since 1983 and have
been serving the Community for over the past 27 years. Have been
actively involved in Humanitarian and compassionate causes, raising
funds for natural disasters and other calamities. The Society has
established a great rapport with the grass roots and with the
achievements have earned the distinction and recognition as one of the
most dynamic, proactive organizations of the community. The Society has
helped many in need and shaped the career destiny of our youth. As a
result of our achievements, the Society has been designated by CRA as a
charitable organization with a mandate to assist in calamities and
natural disasters – locally and internationally.
About RBC
Royal Bank of Canada (RY on TSX and NYSE) and its
subsidiaries operate under the master brand name RBC. We are Canada’s
largest bank as measured by assets and market capitalization, and among
the largest banks in the world, based on market capitalization. We are
one of North America’s leading diversified financial services companies,
and provide personal and commercial banking, wealth management services,
insurance, corporate and investment banking and transaction processing
services on a global basis. We employ approximately 78,000 full- and
part-time employees who serve close to 18 million personal, business,
public sector and institutional clients through offices in Canada, the
U.S. and 51 other countries. For more information, please visit rbc.com.
About OMNI Television
OMNI™ is
a free, over-the-air multilingual/multicultural television system
committed to positive portrayal and broadcast reflection of Canada’s
diversity through the airing of inclusive and accessible programming.
With five television stations — in BC; Alberta (Calgary and Edmonton)
and Ontario (OMNI.1 and OMNI.2) – OMNI has a combined reach to 16.5
million households in major market areas. As well as specializing in
Canadian multilingual/multicultural programming, OMNI carries
well-known International series and films – including East Asian Super
Cinema and South Asian Bollywood Freetime Movies. OMNI Television
is a part of Rogers Broadcasting Limited., a division of Rogers
Communications Inc. (TSX: RCI and NYSE: RCI) which is a diversified
Canadian communications and media company. For more information visit www.OMNItv.ca