The network aims to improve aid delivery and create more opportunities for Singaporeans to support relief efforts in Gaza by bringing together the government and four humanitarian organisations.
A deployment of Singapore Red Cross volunteers to Egypt in Apr 2024, as they pack relief items for humanitarian efforts in Gaza alongside the Egyptian Red Crescent. (Photo: Singapore Red Cross)
A deployment of Singapore Red Cross volunteers to Egypt in Apr 2024, as they pack relief items for humanitarian efforts in Gaza alongside the Egyptian Red Crescent. (Photo: Singapore Red Cross)
SINGAPORE: A new network will bring together the government, humanitarian organisations and the community in Singapore to strengthen the country's humanitarian assistance for people affected by the crisis in Gaza.
Called SG for Humanity, the network was launched on Thursday (Nov 5) and will focus on strengthening humanitarian partnerships and improving the delivery of aid on the ground, said the Ministry of Culture, Community and Youth (MCCY).
"It will also broaden opportunities for Singaporeans across communities to contribute to this whole-of-nation effort," said MCCY in a press release.
The network was launched by Acting Minister-in-charge of Muslim Affairs and Senior Minister of State for Defence Zaqy Mohamad, Minister of State for Foreign Affairs and Home Affairs Zhulkarnain Abdul Rahim, as well as Mr Baey Yam Keng, who is minister of state at MCCY and the Ministry of Transport.
MCCY said it would facilitate the network by bringing together four established organisations as its initial partners – Humanity Matters, Mercy Relief, Rahmatan Lil Alamin Foundation, and Singapore Red Cross.
Speaking to the media at an event at the headquarters of Humanity Matters in Geylang on Thursday, Mr Zaqy said that his involvement in four humanitarian missions for Gaza had convinced him that more could be done to help people affected by the crisis.
He said many Singaporeans he had spoken to shared that sentiment.
“So, to me, the willingness to help is there. We need to create more ways for Singaporeans to act,” he added.
Mr Zaqy said one gap the network hoped to address was the “last-mile delivery” of getting aid to people who needed it most.
“It’s not just about raising funds or collecting supplies. We want to work closely with our partners overseas to ensure that families and children who need it most get the help they need,” he said.
Acting Minister-in-charge of Muslim Affairs Zaqy Mohamad (second from right), Mr Zhulkarnain Abdul Rahim, Minister of State for Foreign Affairs and Home Affairs (centre), Minister of State for Culture, Community and Youth Baey Yam Keng (second from left) looking at relief items at Humanity Matters' headquarters on Nov 5, 2026. (Photo: CNA/Nikki Yeo)
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He said the network would also give Singaporeans more ways to contribute beyond donations, including by volunteering their time and expertise.
Medical professionals had approached him about taking part in humanitarian missions, but there had not been a government-run Singapore platform through which they could do so, he said.
“There’s more assurance when they feel that (the) government is supporting and this is a government initiative or government platform that they can rely on,” he said.
While the four partner organisations had developed their own fundraising efforts and overseas networks, there was scope to better connect their work with Singaporeans who wanted to help, he said.
Mr Zhulkarnain said the four organisations brought different strengths to the network, including experience in medical treatment, water treatment, food assistance and mobile clinics.
Pooling their resources and capabilities would allow them to build on one another's strengths, he added.
Mr Zhulkarnain said the government would play a coordinating role, including helping the organisations work with recognised overseas partners and navigate regulatory and security requirements in the countries where they operate.
“We want to make sure that our Singaporean contributions and donations are channelled in the right way, and would be received by the communities that would benefit directly from those contributions,” he said.
LEADING THEIR OWN
MCCY said the participating organisations would continue to lead their own humanitarian programmes, while the network would facilitate joint initiatives, strengthen overseas partnerships and create more opportunities for Singaporeans to contribute through fundraising and volunteering.
The government would complement these efforts by facilitating engagement with overseas authorities and humanitarian partners.
Mr Zaqy said this could include coordinating partnerships and initiatives in countries such as Egypt.
He said Singaporeans based in the region could also be involved, while those at home could contribute through fundraising, packing supplies and awareness campaigns.
Medical support could also be provided through clinics and hospitals in the region by drawing on existing links with organisations such as the Egyptian Red Crescent and Palestinian Red Crescent Society, he added.
Mr Zaqy said humanitarian operations have to contend not only with access restrictions around Gaza but also with the wider security situation in the Middle East.
Government facilitation could help humanitarian organisations coordinate when and where they could operate safely, including by sharing information on security conditions, he said.