New fund to provide migrant workers in need with immediate financial aid

Initiative launched by charity to enable decisive and quicker responses to cases

- Sarah Koh

Migrant workers who need help urgently, such as after an accident or health emergency, can now tap a new fund meant to provide immediate financial relief.

The Health, Emergency, Aid, Relief and Treatment (Heart) Fund was launched by ItsRainingRaincoats (IRR) on Sept 21 during a luncheon celebrating the charity’s 10th anniversary.

Speaking to the media on the sidelines of the event at National Gallery Singapore, IRR founder Dipa Swaminathan said the fund will help volunteers respond decisively when help is required immediately. Traditionally, fund raising has been done on a case-specific basis, which can often take weeks.

“Before this fund was in place, every time we have a case, we would have to float a new funding appeal,” said Ms Dipa, adding that this is contingent on whether the worker involved agrees to have the facts of the case publicly known.

“Without doing that, it’s very hard to raise funds. So, we thought that we would have a rainy day fund, something that will enable us to help these men when life is at its worst for them.”

The fund received a boost during the luncheon, which was attended by more than 200 people, including donors, IRR partners, volunteers and migrant workers.

Around $120,000 was raised during the event, which featured a runway show and live auction of items and experiences sponsored by IRR’s partners.

The money will go towards the Heart Fund and the daily operations of IRR.

There is no fixed amount that IRR aims to raise for the fund, said Ms Dipa.

The division of funds among workers will also depend on the cases, but the charity will try its best to be fair and provide help where it is most needed, said Ms Dipa.