Singapore disaster relief agency Mercy Relief to extend relief aid to Palestinian refugees during Ramadan
Agency to distribute canned food to 4,800 Palestinian refugees, and organise an "Iftar" to 200 of them in north-eastern Egypt
SINGAPORE — Independent disaster relief agency, Mercy Relief, is gearing up to provide a second round of relief aid to Palestinian refugees during the month of Ramadan.
From Friday to Sunday (15 to 17 March), the agency will "offer essential support" by distributing canned food to 4,800 Palestinian refugees and organising an "Iftar", said the Singapore-based organisation in a media release on Thursday.
The canned food supplies, carefully selected to meet essential dietary requirements and provide sustenance, will be specifically given out to families and individuals "facing nutritional challenges".
Meanwhile the Iftar, or breaking fast meal, will bring together 200 refugees in a communal meal. According to The Straits Times, it will be held in Ismailia, a city in north-eastern Egypt.
Addresses positive well-being, provides bonding and support
Mercy Relief said in its media release that this initiative not only addresses the positive well-being of the community, but also provides a platform for communal bonding and support.
Its chairman Satwant Singh, board member Chairul Fahmy, and executive director Muhammad Ashik will be part of the team on the ground. They will be deployed in a few places, including Al-Arish in the north of Egypt, reported The Straits Times.
"Iftar holds a special significance during the holy month of Ramadan in Islam, and we wanted to share a moment of communal solidarity through breaking fast together. Engaging with the affected communities firsthand also allows us to better understand their needs and challenges and ensure that our relief efforts are both effective and responsive to the unique circumstances," Satwant said.
About Mercy Relief
Mercy Relief was inaugurated in 2003 and provides emergency aid within 72 hours of an appeal in the aftermath of a disaster.
In the last two decades, the agency has responded to more than 95 natural disasters across 29 countries, with more than $46 million disbursed in relief operations. It has implemented more than 76 post-disaster projects impacting over three million lives.
In January 2024, the agency provide its first round of humanitarian aid to some 22,000 people in Gaza, delivering food supplies, hygiene kits, ingredients for hot meals, clothing and other non-food items.
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