Humanity Matters Gaza Relief Packing – Countdown With Compassion @ Charis Tabernacle – Speech by Mr K Shanmugam, Coordinating Minister for National Security and Minister for Home Affairs

Ambassador Khalid Radaideh from Jordan,

Chargé d'affaires of the Turkish Embassy in Singapore, Mr Suleyman Agdag,

Ambassador Ong,

Pastor David Jeremiah,

Managing Director of Pacific International Lines, Mr Teo Siong Seng,

Volunteers,

Ladies and Gentlemen,

1. Very good morning to everyone here.

2. As you have heard, this is the 5th time Humanity Matters is organising this event to pack supplies for Gaza, and my 4th time joining many of you here. First event took place in Oct 2023 – two years ago. Then we had another event in 2024; earlier this year – in March, and now. We say, during this season, Seasons Greetings, Happy New Year - I think it’s not a very happy new year if you are in Gaza right now; nor is it a particularly happy year in Ukraine or Sudan or Yemen.

3. Something that Ambassador Ong said brought this to mind - one, I think we spare a thought to the people around the world who are suffering, and there’s a huge amount of suffering. Sudan, in particular, is perhaps the worst humanitarian crisis in the world right now, and it has not been focused on enough. I think 12 million people displaced; several hundreds thousands, if I’m not wrong – killed, raped, cities destroyed; so, it’s pretty dire. That’s one type of situation that’s happening – we spare a thought. I think we also express some gratitude, I mean, if you believe in God, then God, if not otherwise, still gratitude – that not only are we spared that, but also, if you look around this region, many parts of the world through this year, as Ambassador Ong has said, being lashed by natural disasters, earthquakes, hurricanes, typhoons, flooding. I think we should be thankful that we have been also spared from all of that, and we passed through the year despite its economic turbulence, and look forward to the new year with relative peace and calm, compared to the rest of the world. So, I think we should be grateful for that, and at the same time, do what we can to help others.

The Situation in Gaza

4. If you look specifically at Gaza, two months ago, you had a ceasefire – brings some hope; but the situation is still very dire. More than 70,000 people killed; 90% of the homes have been destroyed or damaged. 2 million people – 90% displaced.

5. Schools, hospitals, places of worship have been struck. Medical and public services have been severely disrupted. Eight in 10 face acute food shortage, insecurity, including over 100,000 children and thousands of pregnant women and women who are breastfeeding. Some estimates put it at 1.5 million people in Gaza urgently need some emergency assistance and shelter.

6. So, you know, we will do what we can, and hopefully, the rest of the world will contribute as well.

Humanitarian Assistance

7. Singapore has contributed 11 tranches of humanitarian aid to Gaza, total value of over $25 million. The most recent tranche was announced about two weeks ago. The Government will contribute $1 million as seed money, and that will help seed fundraising efforts for humanitarian assistance. It’s not just the quantum of the money; I think if we need more, we can raise more. The question is getting it across to the people who need it. And, I should say, in that context, Jordan has been extremely supportive. But while Jordan is a neighbour, I think not everything is under Jordan’s control, in terms of delivering of aid, and that has been, unfortunately, the biggest issue – that, it has been difficult to get the aid across to the people who need it.

8. So, I am sure, if there was a clarity in the needs and the ability to get the aid across – much more can be done, not just by us, but by the rest of the world as well. And, I would particularly commend Humanity Matters for having done a great job, continuing to do a very good job, and making a real difference on the ground.

9. I think, since Oct 2023, Humanity Matters has engaged close to 3,000 volunteers and partners in Singapore – really bringing it across from the ground, – raised almost $2 million, and delivered around 85 tonnes of medical and relief supplies to Gaza, including IV fluids, rehydration infusion sets, painkillers, inflatable pillows, food supplies. This event is a continuation of those efforts. Today, 60,000 packs of ready-to-eat meals are being packed, 3,000 collapsible jerry cans, and, total, over 18 tonnes of items, worth more than $200,000. And, they will be delivered to Gaza, via Jordan.

Conclusion

10. So, a big thank you to everyone for being here today on New Year’s Eve, and doing your part. I think it is a very meaningful way to end off the year, and start the new year, for those who are involved. And, really, it’s very good to see people of all ages, backgrounds, races and religions. This event is being held in a church – you see Christians, Muslims, Buddhists, Taoists, Hindus, social organisations, students, private sector and others – really illustrating the point that a feeling for a fellow human being doesn’t have to be bound within the framework of religion or race, there is underlying it all, the sense and spirit of humanity, which is far more important.

11. So, let’s keep up this spirit, and thank you everyone for being here.