Singapore executes first humanitarian airdrop in Gaza
Singapore successfully conducted its first humanitarian airdrop into Gaza, delivering vital supplies like meal packs and medical equipment.
SINGAPORE: Singapore successfully conducted its first humanitarian airdrop into Gaza on Wednesday (20 March), delivering crates filled with vital food and essential items via parachutes into the enclave.
In a Facebook post update, the Republic of Singapore Air Force (RSAF) announced the completion of its C-130 transport aircraft's maiden humanitarian aid airdrop.
"The airdrop mission was closely coordinated with the Jordanian Air Force."
“Every little bit counts; we hope these airdrop missions will bring some relief to the humanitarian situation in Gaza,” the FB post wrote.
In a recent Facebook post, Defence Minister Ng Eng Hen expressed hope that the humanitarian aid being delivered would provide much-needed relief to families in Gaza.
In another heartfelt message shared on Tuesday, he extended gratitude to the servicemen and women of the Singapore Armed Forces (SAF) who are actively involved in the delivery of humanitarian aid to Gaza.
"As they carry out airdrops over the coming days, support them strongly in your hearts, and prayers for mission success and safe return home, to their families and Singapore," he wrote.
The comprehensive humanitarian package, meticulously crafted by the Singapore government in close collaboration with Jordan, is tailored to address the pressing needs on the ground in Gaza.
This package includes essential items such as meal packs, medical supplies, and equipment, as jointly announced by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MFA) and the Ministry of Defence (MINDEF) on Sunday.
This also marks Singapore's third tranche of aid extended to civilians in Gaza.
Additionally, a generous donation of S$6.1 million, raised by the Rahmatan Lil Alamin Foundation, has been contributed to the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestinian Refugees in the Near East (UNRWA).
Singapore has joined hands with several nations in an earnest effort to airdrop critical aid to the famine-stricken enclave, particularly given the challenges faced by aid agencies in accessing the region via land routes.
Foreign Affairs Minister Vivian Balakrishnan described the latest humanitarian aid package as “an expression of Singaporeans’ care, concern and compassion for Palestinians in Gaza”.
Dr Balakrishnan visited Israel on Tuesday and Wednesday, where he held meetings with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, President Isaac Herzog, and other officials.
In a statement released by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MFA), Dr Balakrishnan conveyed Singapore's deep concern about the dire humanitarian situation in Gaza and urged for an immediate ceasefire to facilitate swift aid delivery, while also expressing to Israeli leaders that their actions in Gaza had "gone too far."
He also extended Singapore's sympathies to families affected by the Hamas attack on 7 October 2023, characterizing it as a "clear, flagrant, heinous act of terror" but also acknowledged the Israeli military response that ensued.
Singapore’s commitment to aiding Gaza began with the dispatch of its first tranche of aid on 11 November 2023.
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 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.
