Singapore Red Cross (SRC) recently had the privilege of hosting Dr Younis Al-Khatib, President of the Palestine Red Crescent Society (PRCS) in Singapore for a series of humanitarian dialogues and engagements with government representatives, Southeast Asia National Societies, partners, media and SRC leadership.
As part of the visit, SRC hosted a Humanitarian Interest Talk featuring Dr Younis and SRC Secretary General/CEO Mr Benjamin William, bringing together stakeholders, partners, and humanitarian practitioners to deepen understanding of the humanitarian situation in Gaza and the realities faced by communities and humanitarian workers on the ground.
Dr Younis Al-Khatib sharing reflections on the humanitarian situation in Gaza.
Humanitarian Realities in Gaza
During the dialogue, Dr Younis shared how PRCS continues to serve as a primary humanitarian lifeline for affected communities in Gaza, supporting medical evacuations, emergency relief operations, healthcare services, and community-based support systems amid prolonged conflict and displacement.
He spoke about the growing operational constraints affecting humanitarian response efforts, including disruptions to humanitarian access and severe fuel shortages impacting hospitals, ambulances, and essential services. Dr Younis also shared how communities have increasingly been improvising alternative ways to generate fuel and keep daily life and critical systems functioning despite ongoing shortages and disruptions.
Singapore Red Cross Secretary General/CEO Mr Benjamin William with Dr Younis Al-Khatib for the Humanitarian Interest Talk
The dialogue also explored the increasing risks faced by humanitarian staff and volunteers, and the importance of protecting humanitarian workers and respecting International Humanitarian Law (IHL). Dr Younis noted that PRCS has lost 56 staff and volunteers since the start of the conflict, while many humanitarian organisations continue facing challenges in delivering assistance into Gaza.
SRC also shared how it has been supporting humanitarian response efforts through the Egyptian Red Crescent Society (ERCS), including the provision of relief items, medical support, and other urgent humanitarian assistance. Discussions acknowledged that humanitarian needs remain extremely high, while ongoing insecurity and operational constraints continue to make longer-term rehabilitation and reconstruction efforts difficult.
Dr Younis at the Gaza Photo Exhibition in Red Cross House
Guests were also invited to tour SRC’s Gaza photo exhibition following the discussion.
Humanitarian Dialogue and Engagements
Beyond the Humanitarian Interest Talk, Dr Younis also participated in engagements with Southeast Asia National Societies, Singapore government representatives, SRC operational teams, partners and media. These engagements created opportunities for exchanges on humanitarian response, regional collaboration, preparedness, and evolving humanitarian challenges affecting communities within and beyond the region.
In the Media
Coverage of Dr Younis’ visit and engagements in Singapore appeared across several local media platforms, including:
Supporting Ongoing Humanitarian Efforts
The visit underscored the importance of continued humanitarian dialogue, collaboration, and support for affected communities amid ongoing humanitarian challenges. Through engagements such as these, SRC hopes to continue creating space for conversations on humanitarian response and the realities faced by affected communities and humanitarian workers on the ground.
As humanitarian needs continue, support from the public remains important in enabling humanitarian assistance for affected communities.
Support ongoing humanitarian response efforts here:
https://www.giving.sg/donate/campaign/src-gazahumanitariancrisis
SRC’s Gaza photo exhibition, which offers a glimpse into the humanitarian realities faced by communities and responders in Gaza through photographs and reflections from the ground, will next be displayed at Waterway Point, B2 The Cove, from 18 to 24 May.