- Additional S$400,000 for critical relief efforts, including Rafah field hospital (6,000 monthly patient load), primary healthcare and mental health support
- SRC operations coordinator to be on 2-week mission to Egypt, for needs assessment, procurement and aid movement coordination
Singapore, 27 March 2025 – In response to the escalating hostilities in Gaza that erupted on 18 March 2025, the Singapore Red Cross (SRC) is intensifying its humanitarian support by committing an additional SGD400,000 towards emergency health services, primary healthcare, mental health support and relief efforts1, as well as the operations of a 60-bed field hospital in Rafah, Gaza Strip2. The field hospital delivers life-saving trauma and essential medical care to 200 people daily at full capacity.
To further enhance SRC’s impact on the ground, SRC will deploy an operations coordinator - 32-year-old DS Vickram to Cairo, Egypt, in the first instance for a two-week deployment, starting 13 April 2025. During his deployment, Vickram will
- Facilitate Coordination on the humanitarian aid movement from Egypt to the Gaza Strip, working closely with the Egyptian Red Crescent Society (ERCS) and the Red Cross Red Crescent (RCRC) Movement partners
- Oversee the procurement of essential relief items e.g. tents to house displaced families
- Conduct on-the-ground assessments to better understand the evolving needs of affected communities, and share real-time updates on the situation on the ground
“In this season when our Muslim brothers and sisters gather with their loved ones, we are particularly reminded of the many families who have been torn apart by the conflict. They have suffered so much loss, even simple joys, like a warm meal and a safe home. Our commitment to support these vulnerable communities remains unwavering, and our latest contribution provides urgently needed support based on the situation on the ground. In this spirit of solidarity, we call upon the people of Singapore to extend their support to the affected communities in Gaza,” said Mr Benjamin William, Secretary-General/CEO of the Singapore Red Cross. He added that the deployment “enables SRC to provide more targeted and responsive interventions, ensuring that humanitarian aid is timely, relevant and impactful for the most vulnerable.”
“In a crisis like this, every effort no matter how big or small can make a difference. I have been following the news and feel devastated by the communities who have been affected by the crisis. This deployment is more than just operations, it is about being present and letting people know that they are not forgotten and bringing hope this Eid al-Fitr. As I work alongside ERCS, I hope to play a small part in ensuring that help reaches those who need it the most,” said DS Vikram, Operations Coordinator of the Singapore Red Cross.
Summary of SRC’s Humanitarian Aid for Gaza Humanitarian Crisis
SRC had earlier committed SGD 300,000 in relief supplies for the affected communities, when the first phase of the Gaza ceasefire took effect on 19 January 2025. To date, SRC has disbursed close to SGD 1.5 million worth of humanitarian aid, such as medical supplies, hygiene kits, food provisions, water filtration systems, and food parcels, through the ERCS. This also includes the deployment of an operations coordinator and an 8-person team to assist the ERCS with relief operations in 2024. SRC will continue to work with the Movement partners to monitor the situation in Gaza closely and adjust the response according to the needs of the affected communities.