S'pore 'whole-of-society' effort to provide S$25 million of aid to Gaza 'heartwarming': MFA's Zhulkarnain

Singapore and Singaporeans have contributed S$25 million in aid and monetary donations in 11 tranches to Gaza to date.

Minister of State for Foreign Affairs and Social and Family Development, Zhulkarnain Abdul Rahim, was responding to parliamentary questions about Singapore's support for humanitarian efforts.

Speaking in Bahasa Melayu in his Feb. 27 Committee of Supply (COS) speech for the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MFA), Zhulkarnain said that Singaporeans from different races and religions came together to pool their resources to provide humanitarian assistance for the people in Gaza.

"It was heartwarming to witness this whole-of-society effort." (transliteration)

Working with Middle East regional partners

Zhulkarnain said that the MFA has continued to work with regional partners such as Jordan and Egypt to support the Palestinians in Gaza. 

This includes the donation of prosthetics through Jordan's Restoring Hope Initiative for Palestinians who have lost limbs or are disabled, which he witnessed firsthand.

Zhulkarnain cited their cooperation with Egypt, where a medical team was deployed in Cairo in September 2025 to support specialised care for Palestinians receiving treatment.

Singapore's efforts

Zhulkarnain said Singapore has continued to support the Palestinian Authority "in preparation for their eventual statehood" (transliteration).

He noted that Singapore has engaged in human capital development efforts through a S$10 million Enhanced Technical Assistance Package for Gaza.

The MFA has also hosted the Palestinian Authority Minister of Finance and Planning, Estephan Salameh, who was in Singapore on an official visit, where he attended briefings on Singapore's education system and smart nation journey.

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He said,

"Singapore and Singaporeans' contributions reflect our shared values as a 'we first' society in how we are united to work together." (transliteration)

Zhulkarnain said that this sense of 'we' will be increasingly critical as Singapore's foreign policy positions may displease major powers and external countries. 

He said that foreign actors may impose their narratives, exploit our differences and pressure us to see and accept their views.

However, Zhulkarnain urged that Singaporeans must remain calm in judgment, united and strengthen our social compact. 

Top photo from MDDI/YouTube and UNRWA/Facebook