Singapore conducts second airdrop ops to deliver humanitarian aid to Gaza
SINGAPORE: Singapore conducted its second airdrop operations to deliver medical and food supplies to Gaza on Tuesday (Aug 12), said the Ministry of Defence (Mindef).
A Republic of Singapore Air Force C-130 transport aircraft left for Jordan from Paya Lebar Air Base in the morning with the humanitarian aid, as part of operations conducted alongside other foreign air forces at the invitation of the Jordanian government.
A total of 58 defence and military personnel were deployed in support of these operations, the Mindef press release added.
The medical supplies being delivered are from the Ministry of Health, while the food supplies from non-governmental organisations such as Humanity Matters, Caritas Humanitarian Aid and Relief Initiatives Singapore, Mercy Relief and the Rahmatan Lil Alamin Foundation.
The effort was coordinated through the Changi Regional Humanitarian Assistance and Disaster Relief Coordination Centre.
RSAF conducted its first airdrop to deliver emergency supplies to Gaza on March 20, 2024.
The Aug 12 airdrop is the ninth tranche of humanitarian assistance for Gaza from Singapore since the start of the Israel-Hamas conflict in October 2023, with the value of the support totalling over $22 million.
At Paya Lebar Air Base on Aug 12 to send off the aircraft, Senior Minister of State for Defence Zaqy Mohamad said the SAF stands ready to support humanitarian assistance into Gaza.
'This is one way to show how the whole community rallies together to show compassion and shows how it brings together all the resources and Singaporeans,' he added.
Joining him at the send-off were Minister of State for Defence Desmond Choo; Chargé d'Affaires at the Embassy of the Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan to Singapore Qais Biltaji; Singapore's Non-Resident Ambassador to the Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan Shamsher Zaman; and Singapore's Representative to the Palestinian Authority Hawazi Daipi.
Acting Minister-in-charge of Muslim Affairs Faishal Ibrahim (second from right), Senior Minister of State for Defence Zaqy Mohamad (third from right) and Minister of State for Defence Desmond Choo (fourth from right) engaging with NGO representatives.
Acting Minister-in-charge of Muslim Affairs Faishal Ibrahim was also present to meet with representatives from the participating non-governmental organisations.
He thanked the Muslim community and all Singaporeans for their generosity, compassion, and prayers.
'Every act of giving is a light in the darkness for someone in need. Let us continue to keep Gaza in our prayers, support humanitarian initiatives, and work towards a future of peace, safety, and dignity for all,' he said. - The Straits Times/ANN
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