Singapore hands over fifth tranche of humanitarian aid for Gaza

SINGAPORE: A fifth tranche of humanitarian aid will be delivered to Gaza, taking Singapore’s donations for the Palestinian enclave to about S$18 million (US$13.6 million).

Minister for Foreign Affairs Vivian Balakrishnan and Minister for Social and Family Development Masagos Zulkifli on Friday (Nov 1) witnessed the latest handover of aid by the Rahmatan Lil Alamin Foundation (RLAF) to UNICEF.

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MFA) noted that the RLAF will contribute S$700,000 from its ongoing fundraising campaign for Gaza to support UNICEF's humanitarian relief operations. The latest tranche also includes a US$200,000 contribution from MFA to RLAF.

RLAF's fundraising campaign will continue until Dec 13, with the remaining funds raised to be disbursed to the Jordan Hashemite Charity Organisation and Humanity Matters.

"This latest tranche of aid is part of Singapore’s ongoing contributions to alleviate the suffering in Gaza," said MFA.

Speaking at the handover ceremony, Dr Balakrishnan noted that the humanitarian consequences in Gaza have been "truly horrifying".

"It bears me repeating what we have conveyed to the Israeli government at the highest level that the Israeli military response has in fact gone too far," he said on Friday.

Singapore and other countries have emphasised that far more needs to be done, and urgently, to alleviate the suffering of innocent civilians, Dr Balakrishnan said.

"With winter approaching, we are very worried that the humanitarian conditions will deteriorate further," he added.

Since Oct 7, 2023, the Singapore government and local non-governmental organisations have worked with Egypt, Jordan, the United Arab Emirates and Cyprus to deliver about S$18 million worth of donations for Gaza.

Singapore delivered its fourth trance of aid for Gaza in July. The third tranche in March included an aid airdrop into Gaza.

Dr Balakrishnan thanked partners in the Middle East for their support in facilitating Singapore’s humanitarian assistance to Gaza.

"We worked very closely, first with Egypt and Jordan for the first three tranches of our support. For the fourth tranche, we worked closely with the UAE and Cyprus," he noted.

"We are very grateful for our longstanding friends who have enabled us to do this and to express the compassion of Singaporeans."

NEED TO PROTECT AID WORKERS

Dr Balakrishnan also expressed concern over Israel's decision to ban the UN agency for Palestinian refugees (UNRWA) from working in Israel and annexed east Jerusalem.

Israel strictly controls all humanitarian aid shipments to Gaza.

UNRWA has provided essential aid and other assistance across the Palestinian territories and to Palestinian refugees elsewhere for more than seven decades.

"Singapore expresses our deep concern on the recent passage of legislation in the Israeli Knesset which, in our view, would hamper or hinder the essential work of UN agencies in providing relief to the people in Gaza and beyond," Dr Balakrishnan said.

Agencies like UNRWA and UNICEF play an essential role in providing life-saving support in Gaza, he noted, adding: "We urge all parties to adhere to international law including making sure that we respect and protect the individual officers of these agencies, some of whom have in fact been casualties."

MFA said Singapore remains committed to offering humanitarian support to affected populations in Gaza.

"We reiterate our call for an immediate humanitarian ceasefire, as well as the unconditional, immediate and safe release of all hostages," it added.

"We also urge all parties to allow for the urgent, safe and unhindered provision of humanitarian aid to affected civilians in Gaza."