Today | 9 March 2024
The continued efforts to raise funds and send aid to Gaza are a demonstration of “who we are as a society”, said Home Affairs and Law Minister K Shanmugam
Singaporeans and the Government have collectively raised around S$10 million for relief operations to Gaza, he said
He also reiterated Singapore's position on the Israel-Hamas conflict, which is that Israel’s response has gone too far
SINGAPORE — The continued efforts to raise funds and send aid to Gaza are a demonstration of “who we are as a society”, coming together across different religious groups to try and help, Home Affairs and Law Minister K Shanmugam said on Saturday (Mar 9).
He was speaking at Soka Kindergarten in Tampines, where volunteers had gathered to pack supplies for children in Gaza.
Interfaith non-profit group Humanity Matters organised the event, ahead of a possible ceasefire in Gaza. The group aimed to assemble 5,000 comfort packs, each comprising a backpack, an inflatable pillow, vitamin gummies, snack treats, a water bottle, a stress ball and a stuffed toy.
The items are estimated to cost S$100,000 (US$75,000).
“It’s not a big amount, but it tells that we stand for something and we will do what we can,” said Mr Shanmugam. “We can do more and we will do more.”
Singaporeans and the Government have collectively raised around S$10 million for relief operations to Gaza, said the minister.
He said the turnout gave him great comfort because the event was organised in a matter of days.
“More than 500 people signed up," he said. "Because the place can only hold a smaller number, we had to turn many people away.”
Most of the 300 or so volunteers were students, but leaders and members of faith and community groups were also involved.
At the event, an online virtual mural was also launched. Members of the public will be able to write messages of encouragement to affected civilian victims from Mar 15. Madrasah students and teachers will help to translate the wishes to Arabic for the people in Gaza.
On Wednesday night, Humanity Matters will send the comfort packs to Jordan, from where they will be delivered to Gaza.
The non-profit’s four-person relief deployment team will also procure medical supplies, food and water in Jordan to send to Gaza.
Israel and Hamas held talks on a 40-day Ramadan ceasefire but have not reached an agreement, with just days before the Muslim fasting month begins.
Both sides blame each other for the lack of an agreement.
During the first humanitarian ceasefire in November last year, Humanity Matters sent a team to Egypt to ensure the delivery of 9.4 tonnes of relief supplies from Singapore to Gaza.
The supplies, which included painkillers, lightweight winter blankets, intravenous fluids and cannula sets, were worth S$215,000.
Since then, the situation has worsened, Mr Shanmugam noted. He reiterated Singapore's position on the matter, which was that Israel’s response has gone too far.
"Ex-President Halimah Yaacob posted her views on social media, and I have shared it and she speaks for many of us," said Mr Shanmugam.
"What is happening is a catastrophe. There has to be an immediate humanitarian ceasefire to allow aid to reach people."
When asked about making sure the aid gets to those in need, Mr Shanmugam said the Singapore Armed Forces has helped to transport some supplies and hand them over to trusted parties.
This time, Humanity Matters is working with Jordan.
“We do our best and so we work with responsible, respectable organisations.”
Humanity Matters will be raising funds for civilians in Gaza from Mar 9 to Apr 30.