By mid-afternoon some 420,000 dinars (588,000 dollars) in donations were phoned in to state-run Jordan television, which is organising the event along with the Hashemite Charity Organisation, television said.
Religious Affairs Minister Abdel Salam Abbadi and Jordanian Prime Minister Adnan Badran, in separate statements on state television, urged Jordanians to be generous to help the victims of the October 8 earthquake. Badran set the tone by making a personal contribution of 10,000 dinars (14,000 dollars).
The Arab Bank, a pillar of Jordan's economy, pitched in with a similar amount and announced that it was exceptionally opening up several branches after the Friday prayers to receive donations.
"So far things are great and we hope we could double the figures we have achieved so far," said Kamal al-Khalayleh, a spokesman for the Hashemite Charity Organisation.
The charity said it was looking as well for tents, blankets, foodstuff, medicine, medical equipment and new clothes.
The telethon is being held at the request of King Abdullah II, the first head of state to travel to quake-stricken Pakistan on October 14.