SINGAPORE: Singapore on Friday (Nov 10) handed over S$2 million (US$1.47 million) in public donations for humanitarian assistance to civilians in Gaza embattled by the war between Israel and Palestinian militants Hamas.
The sum represents the first tranche raised by the Rahmatan Lil Alamin Foundation (RLAF), which on Oct 19 launched a fundraiser for humanitarian relief to the Palestinian territory. On Nov 2, the non-profit announced it had collected over S$4.6 million and that its campaign would be extended to Nov 17.
The handover to the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East (UNRWA) was witnessed by Second Minister for Foreign Affairs Maliki Osman in Cairo. Egypt's Rafah border crossing has been the only entry point for humanitarian aid going into Gaza.
A second tranche of US$100,000 worth of humanitarian goods from the Singapore Red Cross to the Egyptian Red Crescent was also announced.
These include medical supplies, food provisions, drinking water and hygiene kits for people in Gaza, where authorities say over 11,000 people have been killed in Israeli retaliation to an Oct 7 surprise siege by Hamas that left a reported 1,200 dead.
The first tranche of USS$200,000 worth of relief supplies from SRC was sent earlier in November.
In a statement issued by Singapore's Foreign Affairs Ministry (MFA), Dr Maliki said: “The deepening humanitarian crisis in Gaza is a tragedy, and there is an urgent need for humanitarian assistance to be extended to the civilians in Gaza.
"I am proud that Singaporeans have stepped up generously to support these needs,” he added.
Dr Maliki, who is also Minister in the Prime Minister’s Office and Second Minister for Education, was briefed separately by Egyptian Red Crescent and UNRWA on the latest situation at Rafah crossing and the humanitarian situation in Gaza.
He also met Egyptian leaders and affirmed Singapore’s support for humanitarian relief efforts by the Egyptian government, the UN and others to alleviate the "dire" situation in Gaza, said MFA.
Singapore has voted in favour of a UN resolution to protect civilians and uphold legal and humanitarian obligations amid the conflict.
On Monday, lawmakers unanimously passed a parliamentary motion which included advocating the urgent delivery of humanitarian aid to Gaza residents.
Foreign Minister Vivian Balakrishnan said during the session that Singaporeans had donated nearly S$5 million in total to fundraising drives by SRC and RLAF.
Israel continues to face pressure to protect civilians amid pleas for a ceasefire and warnings of an escalating "catastrophe" in Gaza, where food, water and medicine are in short supply.
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The sum represents the first tranche raised by the Rahmatan Lil Alamin Foundation (RLAF), which on Oct 19 launched a fundraiser for humanitarian relief to the Palestinian territory. On Nov 2, the non-profit announced it had collected over S$4.6 million and that its campaign would be extended to Nov 17.
The handover to the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East (UNRWA) was witnessed by Second Minister for Foreign Affairs Maliki Osman in Cairo. Egypt's Rafah border crossing has been the only entry point for humanitarian aid going into Gaza.
A second tranche of US$100,000 worth of humanitarian goods from the Singapore Red Cross to the Egyptian Red Crescent was also announced.
These include medical supplies, food provisions, drinking water and hygiene kits for people in Gaza, where authorities say over 11,000 people have been killed in Israeli retaliation to an Oct 7 surprise siege by Hamas that left a reported 1,200 dead.
The first tranche of USS$200,000 worth of relief supplies from SRC was sent earlier in November.
In a statement issued by Singapore's Foreign Affairs Ministry (MFA), Dr Maliki said: “The deepening humanitarian crisis in Gaza is a tragedy, and there is an urgent need for humanitarian assistance to be extended to the civilians in Gaza.
"I am proud that Singaporeans have stepped up generously to support these needs,” he added.
Dr Maliki, who is also Minister in the Prime Minister’s Office and Second Minister for Education, was briefed separately by Egyptian Red Crescent and UNRWA on the latest situation at Rafah crossing and the humanitarian situation in Gaza.
He also met Egyptian leaders and affirmed Singapore’s support for humanitarian relief efforts by the Egyptian government, the UN and others to alleviate the "dire" situation in Gaza, said MFA.
Singapore has voted in favour of a UN resolution to protect civilians and uphold legal and humanitarian obligations amid the conflict.
On Monday, lawmakers unanimously passed a parliamentary motion which included advocating the urgent delivery of humanitarian aid to Gaza residents.
Foreign Minister Vivian Balakrishnan said during the session that Singaporeans had donated nearly S$5 million in total to fundraising drives by SRC and RLAF.
Israel continues to face pressure to protect civilians amid pleas for a ceasefire and warnings of an escalating "catastrophe" in Gaza, where food, water and medicine are in short supply.
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