Singapore donates $652k to World Food Programme for Gaza

Dr Balakrishnan says S’pore will do its part to support the WFP to fight hunger

- Hariz Baharudin Correspondent

Palestinian Minister of Foreign Affairs and Expatriates Varsen Aghabekian (left) and the World Food Programme's head of programmes for Palestine Jane Waite accepting a cheque for US$500,000 from Dr Balakrishnan and Mr Hawazi at a handover ceremony in Ramallah on Nov 4.

Singapore has donated US$500,000 (S$652,000) to the World Food Programme (WFP) for its emergency operations in Gaza, the latest in a series of efforts by the Republic to ease the suffering of affected civilians.

Foreign Minister Vivian Balakrishnan on Nov 4 witnessed the handover of a cheque to the WFP on behalf of the Singapore Government at the Republic’s representative office in Ramallah.

“Singapore extends our deepest appreciation to the WFP and your staff for the extraordinary courage and your sense of humanity to reach out to those most in need, regardless of the dangers,” he said.

“You bring not only food, but more importantly, dignity and hope that they are not forgotten, and that there are people outside who care for them.

“The WFP and other key relief agencies will continue to be needed even as the international community prepares for the immense challenges of rebuilding Gaza once a permanent ceasefire is reached.”

Dr Balakrishnan is on a visit to the Palestinian Territories and Israel, following the recent implementation of the first phase of the ceasefire agreement between Israel and Hamas in Gaza.