Makes initial disbursement of US$30,000 humanitarian aid

The Singapore Red Cross (SRC) today launched a fundraising appeal, aimed at raising at least S$500,000 for relief efforts to help people in the Middle East affected by recent conflicts in the region. This follows SRC’s initial commitment of humanitarian aid worth US$30,000 (approx S$37,500), in support of humanitarian operations in the Gaza strip, Iraq and Syria (US$10,000 each).

“Millions of people have been displaced from their homes and many have even had to leave their country. They are in dire need of humanitarian aid to meet their daily needs,” said Mr Benjamin William, Secretary General/CEO of SRC.

He added, “The Singapore Red Cross will focus on providing immediate relief supplies, including food parcels, emergency and basic health care items, hygiene kits, and water and sanitation. We will do so by working with our partners in the Red Cross Movement.”

SRC will work in close cooperation with the International Red Cross Red Crescent Movement partners, including the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) and the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies (IFRC), to render humanitarian assistance to all those in need, regardless of nationality, race, age, gender, religious belief, class or political opinions.

Syria is currently the ICRC’s largest humanitarian operation worldwide in terms of financial resources. ICRC maintains a permanent presence in Damascus, Aleppo and Tartous, with over 240 staff working in the country to distribute food and other essentials, to restore water supplies and to re-establish contact between people separated by the conflict. In recent days, ICRC teams have helped the authorities conduct essential emergency repairs to water and sanitation infrastructure in Gaza, improving the situation for over 90,000 people. Given the dire situation in the Gaza strip with increasing casualties, the ICRC also supports an emergency ambulance service in Gaza.

The IFRC will be providing up to 180,000 people who have been affected by the war in Mosul, Iraq with essential supplies such as household packages and food baskets. Though facing life threatening conditions, the Red Cross Movement targets to provide support for an estimated 3 million people in Syria per month, including food assistance, essential household items, health care, water and sanitation. For the latest updates, visit www.icrc.org or www.ifrc.org

To donate

Please visit the Red Cross House at 15 Penang Lane Singapore 238486, from 9am to 6pm (Mon-Fri) or post your cheque payable to ‘Singapore Red Cross Society’ at the above address.

Please indicate ‘Middle East Humanitarian Response’ on the back of the cheque, along with your name, contact no. and address.

DBS iBanking and DBS/ POSB ATM

DBS Internet Banking

1. Login to DBS iBanking
2. Click on “Payment Services”> “Bill Payment”
3. Select “Middle East Response” from the billing corporation list
4. Select the deposit account to debit donation
5. Enter telephone number as the Consumer Reference Number and donation amount

DBS / POSB ATM

1. Insert your ATM card and select “English” and enter PIN when prompted
2. Select “iBanking, Cashcard and More Services”
3. Select “Credit Card/Bill Payment”
4. Select “Middle East Response” from the billing corporation list
5. Enter telephone number as the Bill Reference Number
6. Select account type (e.g. Autosave, Current or Savings Account) and enter donation amount
7. At the confirmation screen, press “Confirm” to complete transaction

Notes:

• Donations to overseas efforts are not tax-deductible.
• In the event that donations exceed the expenses incurred by Singapore Red Cross in this specific disaster response, any surplus or unspent money, after 3 years from the date of inception of the fund, can be used to prepare for and serve communities affected by other disasters or may be used to complement or to sustain projects undertaken by SRC in helping the vulnerable in areas affected by disasters.
• In-kind donations (food, clothes, etc) are not accepted due to logistical considerations.

For enquiries, please call the Singapore Red Cross at 6664 0500 from 9am to 6pm (Mon-Fri). You can also email us at enquiry@redcross.sg.

19 July 2014