Defense
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.
The RSAF is conducting these vital airdrop operations from Jordan, in collaboration with the Royal Jordanian Air Force, underscoring the spirit of international cooperation in times of crisis.
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.
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Honestly, why resort to air-dropping supplies? Just get Egypt to open its border with Gaza to allow international aid in, lor – at least then has another avenue besides the Israeli side. Trucking is definitely more efficient than air-dropping.
Can the “concerned” parents who kpkb about the inadequacy of MOM’s CCE lessons tell us why Egypt (a Muslim country) continues to close its boundary with the Gazans at this most dire stage? Why don’t these parents share their superior expertise/knowledge on the regional matters now? Maybe tik-tok once for their moment of fame is too good to pass, hor.
So many issues at home (SG) dun address, yet want to kaypor in a far-away place where frankly our national interests are very minimal. Kayu Boy with his Kayu lickers, indeed. So desperate to win some laurels, any laurels, from the world stage, hor.
Small boy witj girly name who was good enough for serving coffee for rocket man and fat boy now wants to wear big shoes and becomes global peacemaker.
What do you think?
Is this interfering with foreign politics? What do you think?
will you still expect Israel to train our soldiers? What do you think?
omg……there goes my 9% GST.
Copy cat the US airdrop … No?!? Wait for others to do it then copy with photo ops. Why they dunno how to apologize and compensate?! Ah waiting for someone else to do it first?!? Hmm leaders or followers?!? No idea! 😐
Salutations are in order to the SAF and all who made this happen. VB has taken one more step in speaking with Nethanyahu for a ceasefire but if the genocide doesn’t stop and VB does n’t boot the Israeli Ambassador out, after about 3 weeks. It will negate his present actions. This is an Opportunity for VB and LHL to stand taller than the rest of the world leaders. They should grab it and be applauded in the World stage.
Better still they should have put the MIW in those bags and dropped them into GAZA it’ll benefit the locals with our MIW’s expertise.
Something to shout about??! Pathetic!!