Johannesburg - More than R7 million has been paid to the #SAveSyria #OperationSA fund within five days.
#OperationSA launched the drive earlier this week in response to calls to help with humanitarian efforts in Aleppo and other parts of war-torn Syria.
"The response from South Africans has been overwhelming. We are continuing to get pledges online and via SMS," said #OperationSA founder Yusuf Abramjee.
Almost R14-million has been pledged for #SAveSyria. A multi-channel four hour pledge line broadcast on Tuesday evening raised R 10 028 953.00
The #SAveSyria #OperationSA campaign was launched following calls to assist victims of the Syrian conflict. Abramjee with fellow social activists Yaseen Theba and Catherine Constantinides are among those behind #OperationSA.
#SAveSyria URGENT APPEAL (WATCH) #OperationSA @OperationSA1 pic.twitter.com/Y0e9xdHoJH
— Yusuf Abramjee (@Abramjee) December 18, 2016
The pledge line saw almost 800 callers and thousands of SMS's. The biggest single pledge was R2,3 million was from the Polokwane Muslim Trust Welfare Fund for the Al-Imdaad Foundation. It has already been paid into the special fund.
Scores of young children, some donating their spending money, also called in. A Pretoria family, who did not want to be named, even cancelled their planned holiday to donate to #SAveSyria.
The money is to be distributed to seven local charities who are doing humanitarian work in Syria. They are the Al-Imdaad Foundation, Africa Muslims Agency, Jamiatul-Ulama SA, Jamiatul-Ulama KZN, Al-Quds Foundation, Muslim Judicial Council and Islamic Relief SA.
The Al-Quds Foundation is preparing a container with food and clothing and it is scheduled to leave Johannesburg on Wednesday.
"South Africans and foreigners really opened their hearts. The donations will go a long way to ease the pain and suffering of Syrians," said Abramjee from #OperationSA
"We are witnessing ubuntu in action yet again. The response from the public has been amazing and we will ensure that every rand raised is used for humanitarian relief such as food, blankets, medicines and shelter," added Abramjee.
He said "it was not only Muslims who were donating. People from all sectors of society are digging deep into their pockets.
"If one person suffers we all feel the pain. It is our duty to help those in need irrespective of religion, nationality or race. We are all human.
"The pledge recall rate is brilliant. We almost have 50% of the money in within such a short space of time. I have not seen such a response in all the years of charity and community work," Abramjee told the Saturday Star.
Yaseen Theba from #OperationSA said the pledge line was a "major success."
He said "we were not sure how much money will come in because we are in the middle of the holiday season.
"The phones did not stop ringing. The shocking images from Syria also prompted many callers to donate. The almost R14m raised in such a short period of time shows we are a caring nation," said Theba who directed the Call Centre Operations.
Online pledges are still coming in and the public can continue donating on the website www.operationsa.org
Donations can also be made via Whats App and SMS: 072 3 99 99 99.
Catherine Constantinides said: "Thank you, thank you, thank you. South Africans never stop to amaze. They dig deep into their pockets and they always make a difference. We have hearts of gold. I am proud of my colleagues at #OperationSA, the many volunteers and sponsors. Well done also to the media for supporting the cause."
Abramjee said he and Qari Ziyaad Patel from the Al-Imdaad Foundation will lead a delegation to the Turkish-Syrian border early in the new year "to look at conditions on the ground and the relief operations underway."
The Al-Imdaad Foundation is co-ordinating the visit with #OperationSA and "we want to see exactly how every rand donated by people is going to be used."
"We will not allow money donated to be used for salaries, agents fees and admin costs," said Abramjee.
#OperationSA will continue to work locally and internationally by engaging with partners, donors and communities "to develop projects that bring relief, hope and dignity to some of the most vulnerable people."
Abramjee and Theba were part of the team that founded Operation Hydrate earlier this year. The civil-society group donated millions of liters of water to drought-stricken communities.
Abramjee is also Chief Ambassador the CEO Sleepout SA. This year they donated R9m to three charities involved in education. Over R20m went to Boys and Girls Town last year.
"Our mission in life should be to help others in need and create a better world," he said.
In partnership with the Al-Imdaad Foundation, Abramjee and the Operation Hydrate team also drilled boreholes in many parts of SA.
Al-Imdaad's Projects Coordinator Qari Ziyaad Patel said : "Our teams on the ground are ready to facilitate the relief efforts on behalf of #OperationSA and with the experience and transparency we have it will indeed be and eye opener for the group.
"The situation and difficulties faced by the Syrian people is without doubt the worst humanitarian crisis of our time and together this initiative from #OperationSA will make a huge difference."