Singapore announces third tranche of Gaza humanitarian aid via Jordan

Singapore has announced its third tranche of humanitarian aid for Gaza, to be delivered through Jordan, according to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MFA) on Friday (15 Mar).

Minister for Foreign Affairs Vivian Balakrishnan is set to visit Amman, Jordan, from Saturday (16 Mar) to Sunday (17 Mar) to oversee the delivery in collaboration with the Jordanian government.

This initiative was addressed by Dr Balakrishnan during a Parliamentary session on 29 February.

The Republic of Singapore Air Force (RSAF) will contribute to the mission by deploying an A330 Multi-Role Tanker Transport (MRTT) and a C-130 transport aircraft, the Ministry of Defence (MINDEF) said on Friday.

A team of 69 personnel departed from Changi Air Base (East) and Paya Lebar Air Base aboard the MRTT and C-130 respectively to support these operations.

The C-130 will remain in Jordan to conduct humanitarian airdrop operations, facilitated by the Jordanian Armed Forces, as per the invitation of the Jordanian government.

Efforts to coordinate and consolidate humanitarian aid supplies have been led by the Singapore Armed Forces (SAF) Changi Regional Humanitarian Assistance and Disaster Relief Coordination Centre (RHCC).

Contributions from various agencies including the SAF, Ministry of Health (MOH), and non-governmental organization Relief Singapore have been organized for this purpose, as confirmed by the MINDEF.

MFA emphasized that Dr Balakrishnan’s visit underscores Singapore’s enduring ties with Middle Eastern partners, enabling the effective delivery of humanitarian aid to Gaza.

Accompanying Dr Balakrishnan on his visit is Senior Minister of State for Defence Zaqy Mohamad and officials from MFA.

Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong has expressed appreciation to Jordan’s King Abdullah II for facilitating Singapore’s aid delivery to Gaza and highlighted the RSAF’s readiness to collaborate with the Royal Jordanian Air Force for further humanitarian efforts.

Mr Lee stressed the importance of international collaboration in alleviating the dire humanitarian situation in Gaza, affirming Singapore’s commitment to aiding civilians in the region.

He also commended King Abdullah’s active role in seeking a resolution to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, advocating for a negotiated two-state solution in line with relevant UN Security Council resolutions.

Singapore’s commitment to aiding Gaza began with the dispatch of its first tranche of aid on 11 November 2023. Second Minister Dr Maliki Osman handed over the aid to the Egyptian Red Crescent in Cairo.

On 30 November 2023, Singapore deployed an RSAF aircraft to deliver the second tranche to Al Arish, near the Egypt-Gaza border.

An RSAF Multi-Role Tanker Transport (MRTT) departed from Changi Air Base (East) carrying medical supplies, pharmaceuticals, blankets, sanitation items, water filters, and food from various agencies including the Ministry of Health (MOH), the Singapore Armed Forces (SAF), and NGOs like the Singapore Red Cross, Mercy Relief, and Relief Singapore.

Furthermore, on 19 January 2024, Singapore sent a medical team to Egypt to treat casualties from Gaza.