Singapore, 4 August 2014 – Singaporean humanitarian NGO, Mercy Relief has begun its first phase of emergency response to the humanitarian crisis in Gaza by disbursing SGD$250,000 worth of aid.
Mercy Relief has been monitoring the situation since the armed conflict started on 8 July 2014 and has been in close and constant liaison with its ground partners - the Palestine Red Crescent Society (PRCS) and the Palestinian Wefaq Association (PWA). Both organisations have underscored that food and medical supplies are the immediate needs on the ground for the displaced people in Gaza.
As of 3 August, United Nations reports state that 1,784 people (1,717 Palestinians, 66 Israelis and 1 foreign national) have been killed and over 9,078 Palestinians injured (2,744 children). According to the United Nations Relief & Work Agency (UNRWA), the number of displaced people now exceeds 450,000, and the agency has exhausted its absorption capacity in Gaza City and northern Gaza. Overcrowding at its shelters have raised concern about the outbreak of epidemics and the increased need for food assistance.
Mercy Relief Chief Executive Goh Chin Siang said, “The humanitarian crisis in Gaza is the most dire since Mercy Relief’s first emergency response to the conflict in 2009 and again in 2012. We are once more throwing the full weight of our organization behind this mission and will continue to remain engaged so long as our funding support remains.”
With $400,000 in its Gaza relief funds, Mercy Relief’s initial tranche of food aid worth $60,000 was distributed on 1 August and will serve 6,000 civilian victims for 20 days in Gaza, while the medical supplies worth $100,000 will provide much needed aid due to the high number of injuries.
Having lost his house to the conflict, 45 year old Ayman Said Khalil Abu Laban said, "I am supporting my family of eight, most of them are children. Our living conditions as a displaced family are very difficult. With the food parcels, at least we have something to eat.”
Mercy Relief has already ensured that a fully equipped ambulance costing $90,000 has been procured and been deployed by Palestinian partner agency PRCS. Together with its ground partners, Mercy Relief will continue to provide support and assistance to the affected civilian victims in their recovery based on the prevailing ground needs.
The public can contribute through the following donation modes:
Modes of Donation:
Cross cheque to Mercy Relief Limited, with ‘Gaza Humanitarian Relief 2014’ written on the reverse, and mail to 160, Lorong 1 Toa Payoh, #01-1568, S310160;
Cash donations at 160, Lorong 1 Toa Payoh, #01-1568, S310160;
Funds transfer to Mercy Relief’s DBS Current Account (FR1) 054-900741-2;
Credit Card donation via www.mercyrelief.org (GIVE page, Pledge to “Foreign Fundraising 1”)
During the Gaza Armed Conflict in 2012, Mercy Relief delivered and distributed $75,000 worth of medication, water filtration systems, laboratory equipment, food rations and heaters to the conflict-stricken victims. Together with PRCS, Mercy Relief also completed the equipping of a $30,000 ENT (Ear, Nose, Throat) suite at the Al Quds Hospital for the diagnosis and treatment of a high number of disorders related to areas around the head and neck.
For more information, please visit www.mercyrelief.org.