Singapore to expand support for Palestinian Authority with new capacity-building courses: Vivian Balakrishnan

The new courses will be part of the Enhanced Technical Assistance Package, Singapore’s long-term capacity-building initiative for the Palestinian Authority.

Dr Balakrishnan was in Ramallah – the administrative capital of the Palestinian Authority – as part of a four-day visit to the Palestinian Territories and Israel from Monday to Thursday.

He said the donation to the WFP was made “in support of your vital work in Gaza”.

“Singapore will do our part to support the WFP in its mission to fight hunger and bring hope to people in crisis,” he said.

“your work has been critical in supporting the people of Gaza and it reflects a deep sense of our shared humanity.”

Dr Balakrishnan also extended Singapore’s deepest appreciation to WFP staff who have “shown extraordinary courage and your sense of humanity to reach out to those most in need, regardless of the dangers”.

“You bring not only food, but more importantly, dignity and hope,” he said.

Before the cheque handover ceremony, Dr Balakrishnan met with Palestinian Authority’s Prime Minister Mohammad Mustafa, Foreign Minister Varsen Aghabekian and Minister of Planning and International Cooperation Estephan Salameh in various government buildings in Ramallah. 

“I look forward to reciprocating this when PM Mustafa, and Ministers Aghabekian and Salameh visit Singapore, hopefully soon,” he said.