WASHINGTON, D.C. (CitizenWire) — New PSAs Encourage Donations to the Department of State’s Pakistan Relief Fund: In television and radio public service announcements released by the Ad Council today, Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton encourages donations to the Pakistan Relief Fund (the Fund). Since the flooding in Pakistan began just over one month ago, more than 20 million people throughout the country have been affected. Created by the U.S. Government through the Department of State, the Fund serves as a platform to raise the profile of fundraising efforts and to bring together people from around the world to help make donations.
The new PSAs, which include television and radio spots as well as Web banners, direct audiences from around the world to visit www.state.gov where they can donate to the Fund through a secure online donation page. Americans can also donate by text messaging the word “FLOOD” to 27722, which will charge $10 to their cell phone bill. Standard text messaging and data rates apply.
In her message Secretary Clinton says, “now is a time for our shared humanity to move us to help. That is why the United States government through the Department of State has established the Pakistan Relief Fund for all Americans to join in this tremendous relief, recovery and reconstruction effort.”
Secretary Clinton’s video message can be found by visiting: http://www.state.gov/video/?videoid=600301459001 . The Ad Council is distributing the PSAs to media outlets nationwide today. The PSA’s will run in advertising time and space that is donated by the media.
The Pakistan Relief Fund contributions will go towards funding programs run by the Department of State and other federal agencies for relief, recovery and reconstruction efforts in Pakistan, or to provide funds to international organizations, non-profit organizations and other appropriate recipients for relief, recovery and reconstruction efforts in Pakistan.
Several companies have donated production and digital distribution services for the new PSAs and Getty Images donated images of the Pakistan floods that are featured in the television and Web ads.
For more information about the Pakistan Relief Fund, visit www.state.gov/pakistanrelief.
The Ad Council is a private, non-profit organization that marshals volunteer efforts from the advertising and media industries to deliver messages to the American public.
The State Department’s Pakistan Relief Fund builds on the momentum of the text SWAT to 50555 campaign launched earlier this year and benefits UNHCR.