FOOD, MEDICAL AID
The war between Israel and militant group Hamas entered its 200th day on Tuesday, after an unprecedented Hamas attack on Israel last October that killed 1,170 people.
At least 34,183 people in Gaza have died since Israel launched a military offensive in retaliation, according to the health ministry in the Hamas-run territory.
On Wednesday, the Singapore Red Cross said that its latest tranche of aid includes about US$400,000 in food supplies for displaced persons in North Sinai and food parcels for Gaza.
Some of the funds will be used to fund an emergency humanitarian kitchen in North Sinai that provides hot daily meals for 35,000 displaced people, or about 7,000 families, and medical evacuees in temporary shelters run by the Egyptian Red Crescent Society.
The rest of the funds will be used by the Singapore Red Cross to procure food items to be packed and sent to Gaza.
These items — which include rice, pasta, flour, oil, tuna and more — will support more than 45,000 people, or about 9,000 families, for five to seven days.
The Red Cross will purchase these items from suppliers in Egypt to reduce the third-party and administrative costs incurred, said Mr William.
Mr William added the Red Cross has not allocated a set amount for the food-related initiatives so that the charity can adjust the aid provided depending on the circumstances — pointing to a backlog of trucks carrying aid into Gaza as an example of a hurdle.
He estimates there are at least 1,500 trucks with aid waiting to enter Gaza from Egypt.
The charity will also spend US$200,000 to purchase medical supplies requested by hospitals in Gaza and the Palestine Red Crescent Society, such as first aid items, pulse oximeters and blood pressure monitors.
These supplies will be purchased in Singapore and delivered to Egypt as there is a high demand for certain medical supplies in Egypt.
When asked about the sustainability of the assistance, Mr Williams told the media that they work closely with the Egyptian Red Crescent Society to ensure resources are well deployed.
He added that donations are crucial to allow the Singapore Red Cross to provide aid in Gaza, noting that the third tranche supporting 80,000 people is a “drop in the ocean” when more than 1.7 million people have been displaced by the ongoing war.
The Singapore Red Cross had sent US$200,000 in food and medical supplies for Gaza last October.
In November, it sent an additional US$100,000 of humanitarian goods to the Egyptian Red Crescent Society. A Singapore Red Cross staff member was also sent to Cairo to coordinate the aid effort.
“With more funds, we can do more. Humanitarian aid needed will continue increasing, especially with the winter months to come,” added Mr William.
To donate to the Singapore Red Cross’ efforts for Gaza, visit redcross.sg/gazaresponse.
