RAMALLAH – Singapore has donated US$500,000 (S$652,000) to the World Food Programme (WFP) for its emergency operations in Gaza, the latest in a series of efforts by the Republic to ease the suffering of affected civilians.
Foreign Minister Vivian Balakrishnan on Nov 4 witnessed the handover of a cheque to the WFP on behalf of the Singapore Government at the Republic’s representative office in Ramallah.
“Singapore extends our deepest appreciation to the WFP and your staff for the extraordinary courage and your sense of humanity to reach out to those most in need, regardless of the dangers,” he said.
“You bring not only food, but more importantly, dignity and hope that they are not forgotten, and that there are people outside who care for them.
“The WFP and other key relief agencies will continue to be needed even as the international community prepares for the immense challenges of rebuilding Gaza once a permanent ceasefire is reached.”
Dr Balakrishnan is on a visit to the Palestinian Territories and Israel, following the recent implementation of the first phase of the
ceasefire agreement between Israel and Hamas in Gaza
.
In a speech at the handover ceremony, he said that the WFP’s work has been critical in supporting people in Gaza, and added that Singapore will do its part to support the organisation, a branch of the UN and one of the world’s largest humanitarian agencies, in its mission to fight hunger and bring hope to people in crisis.
He also said that for the first time in “a very difficult few years”, there is a glimmer of hope with the ceasefire agreement, and a chance not just for Gazans to rebuild homes, but also to bring hope for the future of an entire generation.
“We call on all parties, all stakeholders, to seize this opportunity to reach an agreement for the next phase and to comply strictly and fully with the terms of the ceasefire,” he said.
“The suffering of civilians in Gaza – especially women and children – has gone on for far too long.”
