Singapore, 24 April 2025 – In response to the escalating humanitarian needs in Myanmar and the Middle East [Gaza and Syria], the Singapore Red Cross (SRC) is scaling up relief efforts to bring urgent aid to communities facing critical and complex challenges. 

2025 MYANMAR EARTHQUAKE

Following the earthquake on 28 March in Myanmar, needs for shelter, safe water, food, healthcare, sanitation and restoration of livelihoods remain critical in the affected areas. Most displaced households are living outdoors under harsh conditions, exposed to extreme heat (above 40°C) that increases the risks of heat exhaustion. Early rainfall, with worsening conditions, began in mid-April due to a developing low-pressure system and is expected to be followed by the cyclone season in May and the monsoon season from June to September. As Myanmar braces for the upcoming monsoon and heatwave, SRC will focus its efforts on strengthening preparedness and resilience to mitigate the risks of vector-borne diseases, heat-related injuries, and flooding in the earthquake-affected communities. 

Rainfall and thunderstorms have also further deteriorated the living conditions of displaced families living in tents and temporary shelters that are susceptible to these weather conditions. Partners on the ground have identified an urgent need for construction materials and shelter toolkits. SRC will therefore deploy a further tranche of S$600,000 in humanitarian and resilience interventions through our partners on the ground, such as the Myanmar Red Cross, IFRC, and ICRC:

• Non-food relief items such as shelter kits and solar generators, on top of the other relief and essential goods already delivered to Mandalay
• Medicines to support hospitals, clinics, and mobile health units on the ground
• Heat action & floods preparedness initiatives include access to and integration of cooling stations; early warning systems; community engagement - distribution of towels, water, and provision of first aid services; and improved WASH interventions
• A Water Sanitation and Hygiene (WASH) and Public Health team in May to support the installation and maintenance of the SRC’s water filters in community facilities and to disseminate public health information, such as the prevention of dengue and acute diarrhea

A SRC volunteer will be on the ground for one month, from 9 May, to coordinate the current response of the Singapore Red Cross, as well as to help assess future needs on the ground. The volunteer will also work together with the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies (IFRC) as a Strategic Partnerships and Resource Mobilisation Operations Coordinator.  

“The road to recovery is complex and evolving, but the Singapore Red Cross remains committed to walking alongside affected communities. This next tranche of assistance reflects our focus on long-term resilience through the deployment of skilled volunteers and efforts to strengthen climate resilience and public health. Our priority is to ensure that communities are equipped and supported. As we continue discussions with our partners to explore additional support for communities, we stand ready to support the provision of shelter materials for houses, and the rebuilding and recovery of community facilities, such as hospitals, clinics, and schools,” said Mr Benjamin William, Secretary General and CEO.

To date, the SRC has raised over S$4M through our public appeal for those affected by the Myanmar earthquake. The generous outpouring of support has enabled SRC to deliver critical aid, but the needs on the ground remain urgent. The SRC continues to call on the public for support to the affected communities. The fundraising appeal will run till 30 May. 

ONGOING HUMANITARIAN CRISIS IN GAZA 

To address the need for emergency shelter, SRC has procured 800 small tents and 10 big tents for displaced communities in Gaza. The small tents can house up to 6,400 individuals while the big tents would be utilised for bigger families, prayer areas, and aid distribution points. 

An operations coordinator is currently in Cairo, Egypt working closely with the Egyptian Red Crescent Society (ERCS) to coordinate SRC’s ongoing humanitarian support for the communities in Gaza. He is concurrently working on procuring essential medical supplies and consumables through the ERCS to support the hundreds of Palestinian medical evacuees presently receiving treatment in Egypt. Given the ongoing restrictions at the border crossing, SRC’s operations coordinator will continue to work closely with the ERCS to monitor evolving needs in Gaza and identify key areas where SRC can provide sustained support throughout the crisis.

At today’s media briefing at the Red Cross House, a minute of silence was observed as the SRC stood in solidarity with the Palestine Red Crescent, the Global Red Cross Red Crescent Movement and all humanitarian actors over the killing of 8 Palestine Red Crescent volunteers and staff in Gaza. These losses are unacceptable as it lacks respect for International Humanitarian Law. The humanitarian mission of the Red Cross and Red Crescent, volunteers, and staff must be protected and respected by all. 

“The recent killing of 8 Palestine Red Crescent staff and volunteers in Gaza is not only a heartbreaking tragedy but also a grave breach of International Humanitarian Law. Humanitarian workers must be protected at all times, not punished for their service. The sanctity of humanitarian missions is a cornerstone of international law, and its violation undermines the very principles of humanity, neutrality, and protection that safeguard civilian life in times of conflict," said Mr Benjamin William, Secretary General and CEO.

2023 KAMARMARAS EARTHQUAKE

Two years after the devastating earthquake in Syria, the earthquake-affected communities continue to be in need of humanitarian assistance. The humanitarian conditions have been deteriorating since then due to the compounded effects of ongoing hostilities, economic hardship, climate shocks, and disease outbreaks.

To support ongoing recovery and rebuilding efforts following the devastating 2023 Kamarmaras earthquake, the SRC will commit an additional S$600,000 in humanitarian assistance to Syria, to support a range of critical interventions across hard-to-reach and conflict-impacted areas: 

• Enhancement of nutrition services to address malnutrition, with the aim of fostering long-term health resilience in affected communities
• Support for logistics, such as the transportation and distribution of food parcels

      By the International Federation of the Red Cross and Red Crescent (IFRC)

• Support operations of health clinics
• Physiotherapy and mental health services 
• Providing essential medical supplies and rehabilitation support

       By the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC)

• WASH initiatives in Northwest Syria
  • Construction of WASH facilities in safe and dignified shelters for women-led households, and households with persons with disabilities

                  By Türk Kızılay (Turkish Red Crescent) 

“As humanitarian crises and natural disasters escalate in scale and frequency around the world, the needs on the ground remain urgent even when headlines move on. Recovery is a long-term process that demands time, resources, and the steadfast commitment of a community that stands together in solidarity. Under these trying conditions in Syria, this will be a challenging, long-term response. We thank our donors, volunteers, and fundraisers for their trust and generosity. Our efforts reflect SRC’s unwavering commitment to delivering humanitarian aid and rebuilding lives, ensuring that no one is left behind,” said Mr Benjamin William, Secretary General and CEO, Singapore Red Cross.

Cover image by Singapore Red Cross & Syrian Arab Red Crescent