Singapore sends fourth tranche of aid to relieve hunger in Gaza 

23/07/2024
Foreign Minister Vivian Balakrishnan (second from left) handing over the humanitarian package to UAE charge d’affaires Dhabia Al Mehairbi (second from right) on July 22.  Source of images: The Straits Times © SPH Media Limited. Permission required for reproduction.

Singapore is sending 1,000 tonnes of white rice and 300 tonnes of canned sardines to Gaza in its fourth round of aid to help with food insecurity in the warn-torn strip over nine months. This brings Singapore’s donations to the ongoing humanitarian crisis in the Palestinian enclave to more than S$17 million. 

The authorities will ship the essential supplies from Singapore to Larnaca, Cyprus before transporting them to Gaza, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MFA) announced on July 22. The supplies will be transported in cooperation with the United Arab Emirates and Cyprus. 

Earlier in July, United Nations (UN) human rights experts said that famine had spread throughout the Gaza Strip as the conflict between Israel and Palestinian militant group Hamas continued. 

Marking the supply handover on 22 July, Foreign Minister Vivian Balakrishnan said that Singaporeans are deeply distressed and grieved over the dire humanitarian situation in Gaza. 

“This latest tranche of aid represents our continued and steadfast commitment to alleviate the suffering in Gaza. The suffering, which we are all aware of and have seen, is deeply heart-wrenching.” 

In March, Singapore carried out its first humanitarian airdrop into Gaza. As part of its third round of aid, it delivered more than 20 tonnes of food supplies, equivalent to over 59,000 meals.  

Singapore sent its first tranche of aid to Gaza in November 2023, consisting of medical supplies and food provisions. In the same month, a Republic of Singapore Air Force (RSAF) aircraft delivered about 10 tonnes of supplies to civilians there.  

Dr Balakrishnan hopes a ceasefire agreement will be reached that allows all hostages to be freed and humanitarian assistance to reach all affected civilians. In the longer term, he stressed, a comprehensive, just, and durable solution to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict must be found. 

“Singapore’s longstanding position on the issue of Israeli settlements has been clear and consistent. We view Israel’s settlements in the West Bank as illegal under international law.” 

He said the settlements make it much harder to arrive at a negotiated two-state solution. 

Singapore has consistently voted in support of UN General Assembly resolutions that reject Israeli settlements in the West Bank, and in favour of the resolutions that call on Israel to rescind unilateral measures to change the status of Jerusalem. 

Singapore remains committed to supporting the Palestinian Authority, he added. “We will continue to find practical ways in which Singapore can continue to help our Palestinian friends in these most difficult times.”