The Singapore Red Cross (SRC) is pledging USD 150,000 (SGD $205,264.50) in humanitarian aid in response to the ongoing crisis in Israel and the Palestinian Territories, according to the SRC’s press release.
The Singapore Ministry of Foreign Affairs also said in a statement on 16 October that they are pledging to contribute $300,000 to humanitarian relief efforts as well.
This gesture serves to support their Red Cross Red Crescent Movement Partners, including the Palestine Red Crescent Society (PRCS) and The Magen David Adom in Israel (MDA).
Both of these organizations are active members of the International Federation of the Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies, collectively working towards alleviating the humanitarian crisis in the region.
A Timely Humanitarian Response
As the region witnesses an alarming escalation of violence, particularly in Gaza, the SRC has stepped forward to address the plight of innocent lives affected by the turmoil.
The ongoing violence has resulted in numerous casualties and widespread suffering among civilians in the region. Many have lost their loved ones, while others remain displaced and without homes.
Mr. Benjamin William, Secretary General/CEO of the Singapore Red Cross, has expressed the organization’s deep concern for the situation.
He emphasized the severity of the crisis, acknowledging the relentless efforts of the Palestine Red Crescent Society and the Magen David Adom in providing critical assistance to those affected.
These brave staff and volunteers risk their lives daily to offer aid, and the SRC is ready to bolster these relief efforts.
A Call for Support
Recognizing the urgency of the situation, the Singapore Red Cross has launched a public fundraising appeal starting from 16 October 2023, which will continue until 31 January 2024.
This appeal aims to garner support from Singaporeans and residents to contribute to the much-needed relief operations in the region.
The appeal seeks to provide aid and assistance to individuals and families impacted by the crisis. It is a call for compassion and solidarity to help the affected people rebuild their lives.
Upholding International Humanitarian Law
In line with universally accepted International Humanitarian Law, the SRC urges the protection of non-combatants and critical infrastructure.
This includes vital facilities such as medical centers, water and power systems, ensuring that humanitarian actors, including the Red Cross Red Crescent Movement, can access and provide support to civilians in need.
The ongoing hostilities, which began escalating significantly on October 7, 2023, have resulted in over 4,000 casualties in both Israel and the Gaza Strip. This tragic situation has left thousands more injured, exacerbating the already dire humanitarian crisis in the region.
Mass Displacement and Humanitarian Needs
The crisis has forced an astonishing number of people to flee their homes in search of safety. More than 1 million people in Gaza have been displaced, and this number is expected to rise further, underscoring the urgent need for humanitarian assistance in the region.
In the Palestinian Territories, the PRCS is actively providing support to communities in the Gaza Strip and the West Bank.
They are transporting casualties to hospitals, offering critical emergency medical care to the injured, and distributing essential relief items like mattresses, blankets, kitchen kits, water, dignity kits, and shelter to displaced families as safely as possible.
MDA has also acted promptly by deploying medical teams with ambulances and intensive care units to provide essential care for the injured. They have intensified their blood donation drives to support medical facilities and have dispatched helicopters for evacuation operations to transfer civilian casualties to hospitals in the south.
S’pore Red Cross’ Press Release
Singapore, 16 October 2023 – In response to the ongoing crisis in Israel and the Palestinian Territories, the Singapore Red Cross (SRC) is pledging USD 150,000 in humanitarian aid to our Red Cross Red Crescent Movement Partners, including the Palestine Red Crescent Society (PRCS) and The Magen David Adom in Israel (MDA), both members of the International Federation of the Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies, to support their ongoing relief efforts in the region. SRC has also launched a public fundraising appeal from 16 October 2023 to 31 January 2024 for the relief and recovery operations.
“We are extremely concerned by the escalating violence that is happening in Gaza. The loss of innocent lives and the suffering endured by the civilians in the region are heart-wrenching. Our hearts go out to those who have lost their loved ones, or have their loved ones missing, and those who have lost their homes and are displaced.
The Singapore Red Cross (SRC) is closely monitoring the situation with our partners in the Red Cross Red Crescent Movement. The Palestine Red Crescent Society and the Magen David Adom have been working tirelessly to provide critical assistance to those affected, with their staff and volunteers risking their lives everyday. SRC stands ready to further support the relief efforts. When we launch our fundraising appeal in the week ahead, we look forward to the support of Singaporeans and residents to bring much-needed relief aid and assistance to individuals and families,” said Mr Benjamin William, Secretary General/CEO of the Singapore Red Cross.
He added, “In line with universally accepted International Humanitarian Law, we strongly urge for the protection of non-combatants and critical infrastructure such as medical facilities, water and power systems, so that humanitarian actors, including the Red Cross Red Crescent Movement will be able to have access to civilians needing help.”
The ongoing hostilities in the region has significantly escalated since Saturday, October 7, 2023, specifically around the border between Israel and Gaza. According to latest reports, over 4,000 people have lost their lives in Israel and the Gaza Strip. This tragic situation has left thousands more injured, compounding the humanitarian crisis.
The crisis has also forced a staggering number of people to evacuate their homes and seek safety. As a result, more than 1 million people in Gaza have been displaced. With this number expected to rise, reflecting the pressing need for humanitarian assistance in the region.
In the Palestinian Territories, PRCS is actively aiding communities in the Gaza Strip and the West Bank. PRCS has been transporting the numerous casualties to hospitals, as well as providing critical emergency medical care to the injured. The emergency ambulances have been operating at full capacity since the crisis started.
The PRCS has also been providing urgent field relief, including mattresses, blankets, kitchen kits, water, dignity kits and shelter to displaced families as much as the security situation allows for safe movement of their staff and volunteers.
MDA has also responded swiftly to the crisis by deploying its medical teams with ambulances and intensive care units to provide essential care for the injured. They have also ramped up their blood drives to help medical facilities. In addition, the MDA has dispatched its own fleet of helicopters to carry out evacuation operations to convey civilian casualties to the hospitals in the south.
To donate, visit the Singapore Red Cross website for more information.
Images source: Al Jazeera English and The Israel Project via Wikipedia Commons