Question: Could you share more about the background leading up to today’s event and how today’s turnout compare to the last event 4 months ago?
Minister: This is the second event organised by Humanity Matters. There have been many other events organised at the grassroots level, in fact, even in Nee Soon. For Humanity Matters, it’s the second time, to pack and deliver supplies for people in Gaza. The first event was end of October. I was there, I spoke about how this was a powerful demonstration of who we are as a society – we come together, across religious groups, to try and help.
Since last October, as many of us know, the situation has gotten worse. It’s tragic. More than 30,000 people dead. A lot of women and children. 2 million people displaced from their homes. Vast majority of homes destroyed, together with hospitals, schools, roads, power grids.
Our position – Singapore’s position, is clear, like that of many other countries. Israel’s response has gone too far. Minister Vivian said that in Parliament. Ex-President, Mdm Halimah Yacob posted her views on social media – and I have shared it, I think she spoke for many of us. What is happening is a catastrophe. There has to be an immediate humanitarian ceasefire, to allow aid to reach the people, and stop the suffering.
Today, Humanity Matters has organised a second event to follow on from the first. And we are very grateful to them for having done so. And we are grateful for all the other grassroots events where people have come - some organised, some spontaneous, to help.
Question: What are your thoughts on the other initiatives being launched today, besides packing relief packages, and could you also comment on what kind of impact today’s efforts will have on the people in Gaza as well?
Minister: In terms of the impact, let’s look at what the Singapore Government as well as Singaporeans have done so far. Our assessment is – if you want to put a number to it – it’s probably about 10 million dollars worth of aid has gone [to Gaza]. Would Gaza, people in Gaza have been better off if we didn’t do it – that’s the way you have got to ask yourself. We would hope that other countries in the world would also come together and take part in this help. That way, a lot more people can be helped, and we would do more.
In terms of the other things that are being done today by Humanity Matters – one is the virtual “Harmony for Humanity Mural”. Messages can be submitted online, from 15th March to 30th March. It gives an outlet for people to express their views. I penned a message earlier on. The students and teachers from our Madrasahs will help to translate these messages from all Singaporeans and they will be uploaded for the civilians affected in Gaza to look at. And we are also launching another fundraising drive – Humanity Matters is launching, I said I will support. This will run until the end of April and that will raise more money for humanitarian relief, and I am very, very glad to see so many students taking part here.
You asked about the turnout. This was organised within a matter of days, and more than 500 people signed up. And we have turned away many because the location – the physical premises are restricted. A lot of students, people of all ages, people of all races. It’s really good to see people coming forward to help.
Question: How to ensure that aid from Singapore gets delivered to the victims in Gaza?
Minister: The SAF has helped to transport some of the aid direct[ly], to make sure that it gets into Gaza through trusted partners. Today’s particular collection, we are working with Jordan. We have the Jordanian Ambassador here. And of course, Ambassador Ong Keng Yong, who chairs Humanity Matters, is here. So we work with trusted partners to try and get it [delivered]. We do our best. We work with responsible, respectable organisations, that we know are doing good work on the ground.
Question: What is the long-term plan when it comes to sending aid? Are we just going to continue doing these as long as the war goes on? At the same time, what is our stance on Singapore’s diplomatic situation?
Minister: On what is our stance, that has been talked about in Parliament. You’ve heard Minister Vivian set out Singapore’s position. We come together as a society, and we help – this is not the first place that we are helping, and this won’t be the last. We help - Singaporeans are generous, when they see people in need in different places in the world, whether it’s a natural disaster, or here, this is a war situation, Singaporeans come forward to help. And we help, I think, because we are able to, and we have the heart to help.
