Humanity Matters Event “Humanitarian Crisis & Aid @ Gaza #2” – Opening Remarks by Mr K Shanmugam, Minister for Home Affairs and Minister for Law

Excellency Naber, Ambassador of Jordan to Singapore,

Your team from the Embassy,

Your families,

Ambassador Ong Keng Yong,

Mr Goh Kim Hua, the new General-Director of Soka Gakkai,

Faith leaders,

Volunteers,

Humanity Matters

1. This is the second event that has been organised by Humanity Matters to pack and deliver supplies to Gaza.

2. The first was over four months ago, on 29 October last year. We were at Sims Close, I came as well. We packed IV fluids, infusions sets for rehydration, collapsible jerry cans, painkillers.

3. Since October last year, when I spoke to many of you, the situation has become worse, tragic. More than 30,000 people in Gaza dead, mostly women and children. About two million people displaced from their homes. Vast majority of homes have been destroyed. Schools, hospitals, roads, power grids - demolished.

4. What is happening is a catastrophe.

5. Many countries in the world, Singapore included, have called for an immediate humanitarian ceasefire, to allow aid to reach the people, and stop the suffering.

6. For many of us, when we see what is happening, it is very difficult to accept.

7. Back in October we spoke about making constructive contribution, to do what we can, and doing this is a powerful demonstration of who we are as a society   we come together, across races, across religious groups, to help.

8. On a recent count, Singaporeans and the Government together have collectively raised about $10M for relief operations to Gaza.

9. And it is very good to see that this is continuing through events like today.

10. Today, we are packing 5,000 packs of “Kidz Comfort Packs” – with backpacks, inflatable pillows, energy bars, gummies, towels, and others to be delivered by Humanity Matters to Gaza via Jordan, in 4 days time. It is not a big amount, but it tells that we stand for something and we will do what we can. We can do more, and we will do more.

11. But what also gives me great comfort is to see the audience today. We did this in a very short time, just a matter of days this was organised. More than 500 people signed up, but because the place can only hold a smaller number, we had to turn many people away.  It is also good to see so many students, uniformed groups, various community organisations, AMP, 4PM, UIMA, PERGAS, and students from junior colleges, polytechnics, secondary schools, madrasahs, uniformed groups of Girl Guides, NPCC, NCDCC and NCC. Different races, different religions coming to contribute. Because it's really the spirit of humanity. There are people suffering.

12. What we do we try to be constructive, help relieve the suffering that is going on, and whatever we can do from here in Singapore.

13. So I thank Humanity Matters, the Inter-Religious Organisation (IRO), and of course, Mr Noor Marican, IRO President.

14. Today I am also happy that Humanity Matters is launching a virtual “Harmony for Humanity Mural” – where messages can be submitted online from 15 March until 30 March. I myself will be writing something on it. Students and teachers from Madrasahs will help to translate the messages from all Singaporeans, and they will be uploaded for civilians affected by the conflict to see online.

15. There will be a public fundraising drive, which is starting today and will run till the end of April to raise more funds for relief in Gaza. And good to hear again that our students from NPCC, NCDCC, and beyond, will be actively helping in these collections.

16. This is a whole of society effort. We come together across races, across religions, to do this, young and old, and try to make a concrete difference.

17. So, thank you everyone who is here, and those who cannot physically be here. We will reach out more broadly. And we hope to receive greater support from across the community to help fellow human beings who are suffering in different parts of the world.

18. Thank you very much.